Her graduating class included less than 40 people, among them Duke Ellington's grandson (also known as her ex-boyfriend).

While still at PCS, Riegel accepted roles on various television shows, including "As the World Turns," "Guiding Light," and "Late Night with Conan O' Brien."

She also admitted to appearing on a Kathie Lee Gifford Christmas special and singing backup on Michael Jackson's HIStory album.

Despite the stress of working through her formative years, Riegel said she does not feel like she missed out on just being a kid.

"I wouldn't have given it up for anything in the world," she said. "I had a normal childhood."

But showbiz can be a reality check when it comes to hard knocks and business sense.

"It is true, though, that in the world we live in, you have to grow up quickly," she said.

This fall, Riegel will be a featured voice and soloist in the upcoming Dreamworks animated release "Prince of Egypt." She plays Young Miriam in the film, the childhood version of Sandra Bullock's character.

They like to hire me because I pick up on things faster than younger kids and I can make my voice sound young,"Riegel said.

But for Riegel, acting is all aboutversatility. In a turn onscreen that seems 180degrees from the animated mainstream, she willappear in "East Great Falls High," a flick sheopenly refers to as "a teen sex comedy."

"My roles have been satisfying; they've beenchallenging," she said. "I don't want to get intoa rut. I would like to be challenged."

A potential social studies concentrator, Riegelis concerned primarily with getting the fullestcollege experience possible. Although she did notaudition for any shows at common casting, she wasinvited to join the Pitches and accepted thechance to try a cappella, especially since thegroup will head to Asia this summer for a full tour.

She is surprisingly relaxed about college as acareer break. After returning to New YorkWednesday to do a commercial, Riegel described herrelief on the trip back.

"I wasn't too happy going to New York," shesaid. "I really want to be here. I felt like I wasliving on the edge."

Although she will work on occasion while inschool, Riegel has her priorities straight.

"I can leave my career for four years and cometo college and learn and expand myself," she said."That world will still be there for me. I'm goingto be a college student for four years.