United Bermuda Party backbencher Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto last week revealed that she wanted to be an actress when she was a young girl.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto was speaking at Bermuda High School for Girls' assembly.

She was the third in a series of "Women in Public Office'' guest speakers invited to the school to boost the self-esteem of the students "so they will be prepared to compete in a man's world''.

The former BHS student said: "At first I wanted a career on the stage. But then I thought it over and decided on a career in law.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto also urged the students to get involved in goal setting and deciding what they wanted out of life.

"Set yourselves some goals and look at the big picture not just the small picture,'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said.

And she urged the students to not be afraid of being different.

She also reminded them to read the newspaper every day.

But she cautioned the senior students not to believe everything they read.

"Treat it with a healthy dose of scepticism,'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said, "but do read it (the newspaper) and discuss it among yourselves.'' The veteran MP also noted that she was a member of the Cabinet until she resigned in January 1994, following a disagreement over Independence for Bermuda.

Since then, she told the students, she had been a UBP backbencher in addition to overseeing her own law firm.