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REHOBOTH - Elizabeth Pemmerl doesn't get lost in the rhetoric. That's because she majored in that subject, a rare major indeed.

She can also hold her head high for so many other reasons, especially when she's in that rarified air of getting on her high horse - literally - as a prize-winning equestrian. She also exercises horses for clients and trains young riding prospects, something she has done in some form since 1988 (when she was a lass of 6).

Pemmerl, 25, a Rehoboth native who now lives in Rumford, R.I. is a marketing officer at Bank Rhode Island. A Dean's List student at Bates College in Maine, she graduated cum laude with a degree in Rhetoric in 2005 and minored in Spanish. Her completed senior thesis? "The Rhetoric of Atonement in Political Scandal."

A graduate of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, Pemmerl was named the "Remarkable Dighton-Rehoboth Senior" by the Taunton Area Branch of the American Association of University Women in 2001.

Raised by remarkable parents (see answers below), she holds a special place in her heart for debate, horses, Jack Russell terriers, running in the snow, her stay-at-home, late father and her equally hard-working, adventurous mother. SUN CHRONICLE: Tell me about your long life as an equestrian? Since you were six?

ELIZABETH PEMMERL: Yes, for almost 20 years, all of them as a competitive rider. I have competed most of those years in the RI and Massachusetts State Championships, as well as the New England Championships.

This year I was reserve champion (2nd place) at the Massachusetts Amateur Adult Hunter/Jumper Championships, 5th at the RI Amateur Adult Championships. I was also Adult Equitation Champion at the Vermont Summer Festival.

I always ride horses I borrow, because it's an incredible financial commitment to have a top-caliber horse. I've been lucky to have many generous owners help me over the years, but riding a new horse puts any rider at a disadvantage to those who have ridden their mount for years.

I'm glad you are giving me this opportunity. It's hard to be so involved in a sport that no one knows anything about!

SUN CHRONICLE: What exactly is a rhetoric major and what can you do with that degree?

ELIZABETH PEMMERL: I went to Bates convinced I was going to be an English major, but took a rhetoric course my first year (Public Discourse) and loved the subject matter.

It is a degree in human communication, and I focused on public speaking, speeches, etc. We also studied how rhetoric and communication has affected major events in our history - women's rights, slavery, presidential elections, conspiracies, etc. My senior thesis was 88 pages - "The Rhetoric of Atonement in Political Scandal."

Many classmates are pursuing law school or political work. As part of the marketing team at Bank Rhode Island, I handle communications in the form of public and investor relations, collateral and advertising.

SUN CHRONICLE: Why did you choose Bates? Is there a great equestrian program there? ELIZABETH PEMMERL: Bates offered dedicated professors and a great sense of community. The equestrian team was almost non-existent my first year, and I spent my three years as captain working hard to grow the team's roster and visibility.

I was captain of the Bates team for three years. My senior year, I was regional champion out of 10 schools.

SUN CHRONICLE: Will you continue riding in events even now?

ELIZABETH PEMMERL: Yes! But since I don't own a horse, each year depends on having a horse available. I love that challenge. Each horse is unique, and it takes many years to learn to ride different types of horses well.

It's a constant learning process.

SUN CHRONICLE: Tell me about your devoted family, please.

ELIZABETH PEMMERL: I have a brother, Ross, who is a senior economics major at Wesleyan University and captain of the soccer team there. My mother lives in Rehoboth and is an independent real estate and finance consultant.

My father died in August 2006, of cancer, after spending his life raising Ross and I. He was a stay-at-home dad, coaching our teams, volunteering in the Rehoboth schools, etc.

My mother is my number one role model. I'm sure that is a standard answer, but she was the primary bread-winner in our family. Executive Vice President of Fleet Bank at a time when that was very unusual.

When my father was sick, she was his primary caregiver and constantly on the road to Dana Farber, etc. for weeks and months on end and really showed me the epitome of love and devotion. Since he passed away, she has turned her grief into extra energy for community and philanthropic work, has taken up biathlons and embarked on adventures like hiking the Alaskan glaciers!

SUN CHRONICLE: How did your father staying at home help your education or your dreams?

ELIZABETH PEMMERL: My father was a Renaissance man. He knew about nature, science, sports, music, history, and he knew how to fix just about anything.

I aspire to be equally versatile. I'd be proud to gain even a fraction of his knowledge.

SUN CHRONICLE: So, given all that, Elizabeth, what is your philosophy of life?

ELIZABETH PEMMERL: Carpe diem! My dad got that tattoo soon after he was diagnosed with cancer, and then my brother got a matching one.

I like to think I embody the spirit of "seizing the day," capturing every hour and using it as best I can. Still no tattoo for me, though.

Know someone who would make a perfect subject for this column? Send an e-mail to James Merolla at jmerolla@thesunchronicle.com or call 508-236-0431 and let him know.