Family, friends remember woman for service

After her graduation from the University of North Carolina, Emily Balog joined the Peace Corps and went to Paraguay. She taught women to become entrepreneurs, tutored children and helped teachers learn basic computer skills. She had worked in the South American country since June 2010.

Balog, 26, died in an automobile accident there in November.

"She enjoyed life, enjoyed people. She enjoyed her work in the Peace Corps," said her father, Steve Balog.

The honor for Balog was part of an annual event sponsored by the North Carolina Peace Corps Association. U.S. Rep. Brad Miller presented the Balogs with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of their daughter.

Steve Balog said despite his daughter's death, he hopes others choose to follow her path of service.

"She would encourage others to volunteer and serve," he said. "Go outside yourself to serve others. Find some way, somewhere, somehow to do that."

Achievement Academy of Durham was named the association's Peace Prize winner Sunday, an annual recognition for a local non-profit that embodies the Peace Corps' ideals.