Franciscan Sister Charlene Mader first got to know Gregory George two years ago, when the 14-year-old freshman became practically a permanent resident of Daniel Murphy High School's library.

Sister Mader marvelled at Gregory's desire for learning --- whether it meant going online at the computer and learning about different types of cruise liners or to prepare projects for classes, or whether it meant just sitting and reading almost anything and everything he could find.

Sometimes, it meant getting into a discussion with Sister Mader, the school's librarian and science teacher from Millvale, Pennsylvania, who enjoyed Gregory's visits and his unusual thirst for knowledge and understanding.

"His interests are so much larger than those of other students at this age," says Sister Mader, impressed by the 16-year-old junior's bigger sense of what is important. "He doesn't just think provincially," she says. "He thinks globally."

This summer, Gregory got to engage his thirst for knowledge and avid interest in politics in an appropriately global manner, when he was invited to participate in a special travel/study experience called the "Grand Mediterranean Journey" as part of People to People Student Ambassador Programs. From July 14 to August 2 the group traveled in Italy, France, Switzerland and Austria to observe how other countries' governments worked. They met current and former statesmen, visited the Vatican and its museums, made a special visit to Auschwitz, and met and stayed with families in host countries.

For Gregory politics is the answer to many of the problems which society faces. In politics "people peacefully disagree and try to compromise, and, in this country, create a more perfect union. I give a little and you take a bit more." It is not just about winning, it is about "continuously talking it over" and not just "appeasement."

He avidly reads the daily newspaper, finds articles of interest on the Internet, visits official websites for both the Democratic and Republican parties and the White House, and loves Greenberg's "Money and Politics." He has been involved passionately as a volunteer in several political campaigns --- Jim Hahn for mayor, Krissiloff for city council, the 2004 presidential campaign, the Republican Committee, and in support of African Americans for Bush.

He has been an advocate for the "Save Amtrak" campaign, and volunteered for the Excel Program for Black Engineers. Soon he hopes to be an intern in County Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office. The supervisor's aunt, St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister St. George Skurla, is a teacher at Daniel Murphy.

Gregory's passions don't stop with learning about the challenges and problems of the real world. Much to his surprise, admittedly, he has become a fan of the Harry Potter books --- this after, when asked some years ago if he had read the best-selling novels, he responded, "I don't want to read the ridiculous Harry Potter."

Then one day not long ago he picked up one of the J.K. Rowling books, and before too long had read each of the books in the series at least five or six times. "They are just plain exciting," he says, lauding the stories' character development and creativity. His favorite character was Professor Dumbledore; now, "I love all the characters, but my new favorite would probably be Hermione."

But Gregory also admires the title character a great deal, for reasons that make sense to any thoughtful young man.

"I like Harry's strength of character and care for others," says Gregory. "A number of times Harry is very courageous and he breaks rank when he feels something is right or wrong. Sometimes people criticize me over what I do or think I have to do, too."

Then Gregory pauses and adds, "Harry typically follows his conscience."