2026 Jennie Savage Courage Award Winner: Caitlynn Balangue

Named in honor of one of SVUDL’s co-founders, the Jennie Savage Courage Award recognizes students who demonstrate resilience and a commitment to growth in the face of challenges. This year, Caitlynn Balangue of William C. Overfelt High School exemplified these qualities through her leadership, persistence, and dedication to her team.

Anyone who knows Caitlynn knows that she brings energy and authenticity to every space she enters. She is outgoing, unafraid to be herself, and quick to build connections with teammates and opponents alike. That openness has translated into leadership, as she has become a central figure on the Overfelt Speech and Debate team both inside and outside of practice.

Now in her second year representing Overfelt High School on SVUDL’s Student Leadership Council, Caitlynn has taken initiative well beyond what is expected. At practices, she regularly shares updates about upcoming events without prompting, ensuring her team stays informed and engaged. Her leadership is not limited to communication, but extends into action.

Caitlynn has played a key role in rebuilding and expanding the Overfelt High School Speech and Debate program. She led recruitment efforts by completing club paperwork, creating materials for Club Rush, and representing the team across multiple days of outreach. She also launched and manages the team’s Instagram account, using creativity and humor to keep members engaged and informed. As a result of her efforts, the team has grown from approximately five regular members last year to as many as fifteen students attending practice each week.

Her leadership has also extended beyond her own school. This semester, she collaborated with Ansor Abdulhamidov of Mt. Pleasant High School to organize an inter-school scrimmage, creating additional opportunities for students across programs to practice and connect.

Caitlynn’s journey in debate is defined by persistence. In her first year, she faced challenges in competition and did not experience early competitive success. However, she continued to attend practices and tournaments with a positive attitude, demonstrating a level of commitment that has led to significant growth in her speaking and debating abilities. Today, she is recognized as one of the strongest debaters on her team.

For Caitlynn, debate represents more than competition. Her commitment to the activity is evident in the time and energy she dedicates to her team and her own development. Caitlynn says that Speech and Debate matters to her because “it's really enjoyable and makes me feel good…What drives me to be part of the Overfelt team is being able to be with my friends and like-minded people, working towards the same goal of improving our speaking skills.”

These skills will serve her well in the future: she hopes to attend college and has demonstrated the academic ability and drive to succeed. With continued support and access to resources, she is well positioned to reach her full potential.

Caitlynn Balangue’s story is one of resilience, initiative, and growth. She leads with authenticity, uplifts those around her, and continues to push herself forward despite obstacles. Congratulations to Caitlynn!