Ngo meets her "little brother" at Lili'uokalani Elementary School once a week. The two have forged a strong friendship as they do homework, play games and just spend time talking.

"I really like it because I get to be his Big Sister until whenever he graduates," she said. "I was always lucky to have my older sisters."

Ngo is such an active Big Sister that last year she became Lili'uokalani's site coordinator and recruited several other Sacred Hearts students to serve as Big Sisters.

As site coordinator, she plans special events for the entire center, such as Secret Santas and scavenger hunts. She has also traveled to schools on the Big Island and talked to students at Kamehameha Schools about starting a similar outreach program.

Ngo thinks this volunteer work is fun, but she also recognizes how important it is to the young boy she is helping. "I'll always try to put Big Brothers first and try to be consistent and come every week, pay attention to him and really be a big sister," she said.

On Saturdays, Ngo volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, an activity she enjoys because she gets to play with the kids. "It's kind of like coming over to a friend's house," she said.

On Sundays, she is an acolyte at her church.

Ngo is modest about how she juggles her activities and schoolwork. "I try to find a balance, but it's a bit hard," she said.

School principal Betty White is more complimentary.

"Dai is an amazing young lady. Not only is she a model student, but she gives a lot to the local community," White said.

In addition to her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Ronald McDonald House, White noted that Ngo is also very active in school activities, serving as a leader in the Spanish Club and the yearbook staff.

As president and coach of the debate/speech team, Ngo serves as a mentor for the freshmen who are working without a teacher or coach.

She is also president of the student Zonta Club and works with the professional section, studying women's issues, nontraditional careers for women and reading current women's literature.

Meanwhile, she still finds the time to help pay for her education with a part-time job at an accounting firm.

Sacred Hearts requires service learning from its students, something Ngo's parents have always insisted on. Her parents, immigrants from Vietnam, have had their children volunteer in homeless shelters and soup kitchens.

"They taught me to be more understanding and to help others when I can," she said.

Who helped you: "My site coordinator (Eva Garcia)." Ngo said she was hesitant at first to dedicate her Wednesday afternoons to Big Brothers Big Sisters, but Garcia helped ease the transition and has provided at lot of support since Ngo took charge of the Lili'uokalani site.

What advice would you give to other kids who might want to follow your example: "Community service may seem really dull to some, but it can be really fun," Ngo said. While she enjoys working with children, she knows others might prefer different types of service, so she advises: "Find what you like and stick with it."