Don't argue with Jen Savage.
She'll floor you with some well chosen words & because this Wanganui girl is the best student debater in the world.
Yesterday, the 18-year-old Wanganui Collegiate student was named "Best Speaker in the World" in Washington at the close of the World Schools Debating Championships.
Jen is only
the second New Zealander ever to have taken out the title and the first in the modern era of the competition.
This is where speaker prizes are now calculated using individual scores from the preliminary rounds.
Previously, they were calculated with an actual individual speaking competition, which had been a comedy competition And not only did Jen triumph, New Zealand team-mate Ben Kronfield of Kings College was named second best speaker, with Holly Jenkins of Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, fourth best.
NZ Schools Debating Council spokesman Christoper Bishop said even though Jen had done amazingly well, her win had been the result of months of dedicated hard work.
Wanganui Collegiate School debating coach Laura Heath described Jen as a "remarkable girl. There are not too many like Jen".
"She is really something. She is quite extraordinary." When she heard Jen had won best speaker, she could hardly believe it.
"I was so excited but, really, she is amazing and she works very hard. I think Jen is one amazing young woman."
Jen and her parents, Guy and Anna Savage, were due back in Wanganui tomorrow, she said.
"No holidays. She wants to be back in time for the school ball on Saturday and the senior inter-house debating competition on Friday."
Even though the end of the week meant school holidays, there won't be time for Jen to relax, she said.
Jen would be busy catching up with all the work she's missed, because her level three NCEA school exams start the week after the holidays, she said.
In November, Jen will sit scholarship with her heart set on being accepted into the Christchurch Broadcasting School, Ms Heath said.
In an earlier story, Jen had said her dream was to be a top investigative television journalist.
"It's what she's always wanted, and she'll do it, because she will work hard to get there."
