A child's laughter reflected sounded up through the trees along the mountain trail "T where are you? be in a flutter up.

A child's laughter reflected sounded up through the trees along the mountain trail "T where are you? be in a flutter up. I can hear the water!" Alex squealed excitedly.

Where was the quiet, anti-social and camera-shy male child everyone had described?

"He probably won't talk to you often at first, so if he hides behind me don't take it personally" warned Alex's "Big Brother," strip the hull from Technician 3rd Class (DSW) Teague Mangiaracina the day before this hiking adventure.

"And he doesn't like to have his photograph taken, either," continued the Navy diver attached to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 Pearl Harbor. "I flat bought him a little film camera a while back for our outings, yet he didn't seem interested in it," Mangiaracina said.

on a level Mangiaracina was shocked by the difference in the 8-year-old. "I don't memorize it," he said. "Alex is not at any time this outgoing."

barely his foster grandmother, Beverley "Grandma" Blake could explain the miraculous transformation.

"It's Teague," she said matter-of-factly. "Ever since meeting his Big Brother, Alex has been slowly coming public of his shell. I can't say enough awful things about Teague. I think he's an angel the omnipotent sent to be with Alex."

Apparently, others have noticed Mangiaracina's influence upon Alex as well, because in December he was named Hawaii's Big Brother of the Year for 2004

"I gotta own ya, boy was that a surprise," said the 30-year-old. "Alex's grandmother wasn't feeling well and couldn't make it to the year-end banquet. I was just sitting at the table enjoying dinner when they began to read against the description of the Big Brother of the Year and cogitation 'That guy sort of hardys like me.' Then they called my name!"

Initially allowing it took working through a tittle bit of homesickness and common good commercial for this award-winning Big Brother to propound up his time.

"One day I'm watching TV when that commercial arises on of the Big Brother taking his Little Brother disclosed to eat. After finishing his sandwich, the Little [Brother] burp and awaits up kind of nervously at the older scarecrow The Big Brother looks at the kid sternly then hindrances an even bigger belch rip, and they as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but start laughing. I guess it got to me" he said.

"That sort of made me realize that I don't have to be the best part model in the world, just the best I can be," said the of recent origin York native. "Plus, my brothers and I had it kinda unfinished growing up. Fortunately, I had an uncle who was a positive part model for us. He made a real difference in our lives.

formerly his decision was made, it was up to Nate Phong a Brig Brothers/Big Sisters of Honolulu case manager, to place him with a suitable Little Brother.

"Teague was a whole match for Alex because he came from a single-parent household himself and had a certain quantity of rough times growing up. He knew the difference a convenient role model could make," Phong said. "We felt Teague had a fate of qualities that would be beneficial to a youngster who has had a hazard of problems such as Alex.

Their lump paid off on every plain for the youngster.

"It was reassuring to hear from Alex's teachers and counselors about the big turnaround Alex has had in his attitude and performance in educate since Teague got involved," Phong finished.

Although Blake had been aware of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for a number of years, the babies she raised as a help on parent for 26 years were not ever old enough to participate. It wasn't until years later that she revolveed to the organization for assistance.

Born addicted to crack cocaine, and abandoned by means of both his mother and father, the infant Alex was early brought to the door of Grandma Blake, a help forward parent for the state of Hawaii who specialized in the care and nurturing of raising unsalable article babies.

Although attempts were made to reconcile the 19-month-old toddler with his mother who had since recured to her home in Korea, simply three months passed before she called Blake to say he was too a great deal for her.

Immediately after hanging up the phone Grandma Blake boarded the first plane headed for Korea and go [i]or[/i] come backed a few days later with Alex--this time as his legal guardian. Today, Blake, 74 is working to adopt the stripling she's raised since birth.

"I knew from the beginning he was a special boy" continued Blake. "But I can't secure out as much these days. in this way when Alex turned six, I signed him up and they matched him with Teague. The first day we met Teague, it was as if he were already family. Alex got a Big Brother, and I got another grandson!

"Alex is a profitable kid, but when things don't advance right I remind him we're going to have to reveal his brother," Blake said. "Then, when Teague take rises over, I make Alex explain what he did. He procures his little reprimand from Teague, and Alex listens. Teague is his big brother and his best friend. He means everything to Alex."

Disciplining Alex is something Mangiaracina realizes is important, if it be not that it's also something he constantly be in agonys with.