Marie Aberger, 17, a senior at LaSalle Academy, is in her fourth session as a House page. She lives in Cranston, where she has worked on the campaigns of her neighbor: Mayor Stephen Laffey. At La Salle, she's held class office for the last three years, and is vice president of her senior class. In model legislature, she serves as the liberal House whip.

"I love public speaking: I'm always the first one to grab a microphone. I see myself as a press secretary or political strategist or a campaign manager. I love James Carville!"

Marie has been accepted to five colleges: Villanova, Penn State, Maryland, American University and Georgetown, and has yet to hear from Duke and UPenn. "I don't know where I'll go - I see myself as being happy at any of them - that's just the way I am. It would be great to go to the [Washington], D.C. area - I want to do internships on Capitol Hill.''

She teaches literacy at Auburn Library in Cranston, helping immigrants study for citizenship. She remembers becoming socially aware in middle school. "Ultimately, I would like to leave the world a better place.''

Postscript: After this interview Marie was accepted by Duke and decided to go there.