`Tearaway' Trevor sets his sights on reachign the top Mischievous at school and a teenage tearaway with a zest for disco-dancing, the young Trevor Woolridge was told he would not live to see 30.

Who told him so? None other than his anxious mom, Mrs. Cynthia Woolridge.

Well, her well-built eldest child heeded the warning, cleaned up his act, threw himself into religion, and after reaching the big `three 0' received a memorable birthday call.

"It was my mom calling to tell me `Well, you didn't die after all, did you?','' chuckles the Rev. Woolridge.

Now 36 going on 37, he can look back with some satisfaction on how he has hauled himself up life's ladder, thanks to a deceptively strong will.

Three achievements spring to mind.

A distinctive figure behind the wheel, he is probably Bermuda's most notable taxi-driver.

On October 2 he was elected president of the the AME Ministers' Alliance.

And just three days later his victory in Hamilton East made him the first clergyman to be elected to the House of Assembly.

"It's something I'm tremendously proud of,'' he says, his broad features beaming.

As for the future the Rev. Woolridge, who admits to being keenly aware of the passage of time, still harbours two king-size ambitions.

One is to become a bishop of the AME Church before he is 50.

And the other is to become Premier. Tactfully, he sets no deadline for this.

With a touch of glee, the Rev. Woolridge points to an unlikely endorsement for his Premiership credentials -- the Hon. Sir John Sharpe.

"He will probably deny it now, but he once stated publicly I would have no difficulty in becoming Premier of this country.'' Such lofty ambitions would have seemed a trifle absurd when the Rev.

Woolridge, the eldest of four children, started out somewhat precariously in life.

He is quick to praise his parents, who were hot on discipline and keen to ram into their charges strong morals and a sense of responsibility.

At school he demonstrated a flair for English and Geography.

"In some instances, the English courses required verbal communication and I was always very good at that -- above average,'' says the Rev. Woolridge, who appears to enjoy carefully crafting each phrase, never more so when he has a large and captive audience.

From Francis Patton, the young Woolridge moved to Whitney Institute, Robert Crawford, Knox College in Jamaica and then Allen University in South Carolina.

Testimony to the qualities of Francis Patton is the fact that the Hamilton Parish election victors -- himself, Renee Webb, Wayne Furbert, and Maxwell Burgess -- are all former pupils.

Several influential teachers stick out in his mind -- those who saw some potential in him.

"I was mischievous in class and at Whitney Institute I remember the occasional visit to the head for consultation,'' laughs the Rev. Woolridge.

"I was talkative and disruptive, but I was a lovable student and the teachers loved me. I was also keen to learn.'' Even at this difficult stage, the Rev. Woolridge had a burning desire.

"As early as I can remember I wanted to be a clergyman. I am one of the few people who can say `I wanted to be a minister, and so I am!'' The Rev. Woolridge has no doubt politics and religion are entwined, requiring similar skills.

He also believes the PLP's election success heralds a much-needed return to moral and Christian values.

"My training in the AME Church and training with the PLP will serve the community extremely well. I am convinced one complements the other.'' Aside from the Church and politics, the twice-married Rev. Woolridge is equally well known as a cabbie, a trade he picked up at 21.

"It was the kind of job that could provide me with the salary and flexibility of time to do all the other things I wanted to do. It is also one of the most fascinating jobs.'' Among his passengers have been his political rivals.

He also recalls taking house guests to Sen. Charles Collis -- with whom he had many a fiery exchange in the Senate.

"I told them to wait until after dinner before telling Sen. Collis who their taxi driver was, otherwise he would get indigestion!'' Away from the helter skelter of his public life, the Rev. Woolridge, who has a daughter, Erica, 10, and son, Tyler, two, enjoys family life.

Among his passions are cooking, listening to reggae, jazz, and classical and gospel music, and movies.

"I'm a die-hard movie buff. I love romantic movies, comedies and adventures.

"I remember two birthdays ago my wife, Delphine, gave me six movies, a six-pack of Pepsi and some popcorn, and left me to myself.

"I watched all the movies, drank all the Pepsi and ate all the popcorn!'' CLIMBING THE LADDER -- Rev. Trevor Woolridge claims Sir John Sharpe once "stated publicly I would have no difficulty in becoming Premier of this country.''