VIDEO: Niemerg Hosts Exchange Student from Norway as House Page

State Rep. Adam Niemerg, a member of the Education Policy Committee, welcomed Victoria "Tori" Ellingsen to the Capitol to serve as his House Page on October 29, 2025. Tori is a foreign exchange student from Oslo, Norway, currently completing her senior year at Effingham High School. The oldest of five siblings her father is Norwegian, and her mother is Argentinian, giving her a strong multicultural background and a deep appreciation for global perspectives. Growing up in a bilingual and international household has also contributed to her remarkable linguistic ability - she speaks six languages fluently, including Norwegian, Spanish, English, Swedish, Danish, and some Italian.

Tori's interests include playing the piano, skiing, traveling, and politics. At Effingham High School, she has been involved in both the tennis team and currently serves as a varsity cheerleader.

In Norway, Tori is an active member of Norway's second-largest youth political party, "Young Conservatives", where she previously served on Oslo's County Board before moving to the United States. Her key interests include improving education so that all students can become productive members of society, promoting better integration and regulation of immigration, and, especially in today's uncertain times, strengthening national defense and ensuring responsible government spending.

Tori has always been a dedicated student leader, serving as class representative every year and was later elected president of her school's student council. She was also elected to represent Oslo's students for two consecutive years at Norway's National Student Congress, where representatives from every county in Norway gather to debate education policy and meet with national leaders for a week, including the Minister of Education.

After high school, Tori plans to study law, focusing on either international relations or criminology. Before beginning her studies, she intends to serve her military service in the Norwegian Navy. With her education, she hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy, where she can combine her interests in politics, traveling, and languages, or to explore criminology as a way to better understand the causes of crime and how society can prevent it through thoughtful and fair policy.

America has always fascinated Tori for its diversity, democratic traditions, and central role in global politics. She chose to spend her exchange year here to gain a deeper understanding of American culture and government, while perfecting her English and building lifelong connections.

Before coming to the United States, Tori worked as a waitress and volunteered as a youth leader at her local church, mentoring children and confirmation students. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent her home country in the U.S., and she views her time in Illinois as not only an educational experience, but also a chance to build bridges between nations, cultures, and people.

Learn more about becoming a foreign exchange host family HERE.