Top Debater
Congratulations to Jennifer (Jen) Savage from Wanganui Collegiate who won best overall speaker at the NZ Secondary Schools World Debating Champs.
Fellow New Zealanders Ben Kornfeld was 2nd and Holly Jenkins 4th.
As reported yesterday the team got all the way to the grand final and lost with the closest possible margin of 4-5. The team captain is Maria English, and Stephen Franks points out (Stephen is on the board of Samuel Marsden – Maria’s school) that Maria has also a member of the N.Z. Secondary Schools Choir and was the winner of the 2008 Rodney Walshe Essay Competiton – the Ireland essay competition.
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Tags: ben kornfield, debating, holly jenkins, jennifer savage, maria english, Stephen Franks
September 16th, 2008 at 7:03 am
whos the bird with the wonder woman sandals on behind her?
September 16th, 2008 at 7:26 am
I’ve known Jen and her family for around ten years. They are great people, and it is no surprise that Jen has achieved this success.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:42 am
David, dont know how you find all this stuff out BUT – thanks – its awesome to hear how well our young people are doing, we just need all of them to believe in themselves like these young people. WELL DONE to them.
Also great to have good positive news.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:46 am
yes. damn straight.
successful and hot young right leaning women.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:03 am
“captain is Maria English, and Stephen Franks points out (Stephen is on the board of Samuel Marsden – Maria’s school) that Maria has also a member of the N.Z. Secondary Schools Choir and was the winner of the 2008 Rodney Walshe Essay Competiton – the Ireland essay competition”
Hm.
Must come from her mother’s side.
Just kidding!
September 16th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Marsden’s school motto is Ad Suma – to the highest
It certainly looks like this young lady exemplifies this through her hard work and aptitude.
Well done Maria, Jennifer and the rest of this outstanding group of young New Zealanders.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:11 am
So let me check, they got 3 of the 4 top individuals but came second in a split decision?
Damn thats gotta be seen off.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Murray … was thinking the same thing. The only possible answer is that the ranking were taken from their performances over all 12 rounds.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Murray, Ross: The rankings are taken from the 8 preliminary round debates – the octo, quarter and semi-finals are not included. NZ was ranked 1st after the preliminary rounds and dropped only one judge during those rounds. So yes, completley dominated the tournament, just couldn’t take that final debate unfortunately.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:22 am
The rankings are over all the rounds.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Heart warming to see such appreciation. May I add to the applause.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am
UPDATE: Maria English was 11th on the tab – missed the top ten by .023 of a mark. Also amazing.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Shame but outstanding effort anyway.