Increased participation in the debate category of BEST’s online English Speech and Debate Tournament

From the 25th to the 27th of February, the BEST Foundation hosted its 46th tournament, and its fourth tournament of the 2021-2022 school year. Over 150 high school students attended the English-language speech and debate competition representing schools from all over Bulgaria. The tournament was held online in interest of public health, but students still competed live in five events: Original Oratory, Duo Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, and World Schools Debate. The students, their coaches, and volunteer judges demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and flexibility under adverse circumstances, in addition to exemplary creativity, hard work, and talent.

BEST is especially grateful to the US Embassy in Sofia for their financial support, without which, this tournament would not have been possible. BEST would also like to thank the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission managed by Angela Rodel for their endless support and for their sponsorship of our Debate Summer Camp and this year’s extensive coach training, which has to led to continuous improvement in students’ preparedness for the competition as well as noticeable improvement in the quality of the debate category. We are seeing an increase in the number of participants in this category. 

During the opening ceremony, Kadir and Kristina, student leaders from Razgrad, took the stage to wish all the competitors good luck. Our student leader program is one of our most successful initiatives. If you want to learn more about it and BEST, tune in to BNT 2 on the 10th of March, to see an interview with our team of students from Blagoevgrad. 

Stanimir Stoilov, one of the members of our board of directors also congratulated the students on their neverending efforts. He said: “We all know that we’re experiencing some difficult times right now, so just the fact that you showed up and managed to put on these amazing performances and debates for us is formidable. You all did great and left me very impressed.”  

Our next tournament for students from the whole Balkan region Balkan Voices, which is done in partnership with the American University in Blagoevgrad, will be held from the 18th to the 20th of March. You can also anticipate our debate showcase, which will be held in person, as well as live-streamed on the 5th of March.

Spring East Tournament Awards

Below are the names of participating teams; you can view results on Speechwire, as well. Debate results can be viewed on TabbyCat.

Geo Milev GPAE, Burgas
Vocational School for Computer Programming, Burgas
Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad
Geo Milev Foreign Language High School, Dobrich
Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo
Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo
Hristo Botev Foreign Language School, Kardzhali
Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad
Geo Milev English Language School, Rousse
Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen
Peyo Yavorov Foreign Language High School, Silistra
Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven
Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora
Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna
First Language School, Varna
Vasil Karagyozov Language School, Yambol

POETRY INTERPRETATION – MERGED (8th-12th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Ekaterina Dimcheva - Zaharii Stoyanov ELS, Sliven 

  • Bogolyuba Georgieva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  • Vyara Bagryanova - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  • Victor Marinov - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad

  • Ivet Ivanova -  Aprilov National, Gabrovo 

Finalists

  1. Teodora Stoycheva - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  2. Mariya Toneva - Hristo Botev FLS, Kardhzali 

  3. Tatyana Vlaikova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  4. Liliya Ivanova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

  5. Lachezara Milkova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

  6. Melda Byulend Pasha - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad

  7. Aylin Gyugzhen - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

PROSE INTERPRETATION – MERGED (8th-12th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Yanita Balusheva - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna

  • Liliya Ivanova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

  • Ivo Radev - Geo Milev GPAE, Burgas

  • Viliyana Ivanova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  • Mariya Daneva - Aprilov National, Gabrovo 

  • Havin Murad - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

Finalists

  1. Tatyana Vlaikova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  2. Blagovesta Georgieva - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra 

  3. Nikolay Dimitrov - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  4. Bogolyuba Georgieva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

  5. Christina Yanakieva - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad

  6. Fatima Mehmed Alya - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

ORIGINAL ORATORY – MERGED (8th-12th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Danaya Krasimirova - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad

  • Radina Velichkova - Vocational School for Computer Programming, Burgas

  • Polina Semendyaeva - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Martin Manev - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Ivo Radev - Geo Milev GPAE, Burgas

  • Grasiela Atanasova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

Finalists

  1. Papi Valkov - Vasil Karagyozov Language School, Yambol

  2. Gabriella Daneva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  3. Janina Petrova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna

  4. Greta Sivkova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

  5. Diana Zhekova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna

  6. Maria Todorova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

DUO INTERPRETATION –MERGED (8th-12th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Simona Stefanova and Desiliyan Stoychev - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Svetoslava Ivanova and Preslava Tsoneva - Aprilov National, Gabrovo 

  • Simge Salim and Evgeni Ginchev - Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLS, Dimitrovgrad

  • Nicole Galinova Todorova and Ruzha Todorova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Vaya Spasova and Simeon Spirov - Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora 

  • Denitsa Ivanova and Petya Vasileva - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Katrin Zurnadzieva and Svetoslav Bliznakov - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Radosveta Koleva and Nikol Ditsova - Aprilov National, Gabrovo 

  • Aycha Ahmed and Melda Pasha - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

Finalists

  1. Danaya Krasimirova and Kristiyana Kiranska - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

  2. Presiyana Dimova and Tatyana Vlaikova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  3. Raya Guncheva and Viktoria Bosolova - Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  4. Viliyana Ivanova and Vyara Gramatikova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  5. Dima Georgieva and Hrisiana Radoeva -  Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich 

  6. Mila Miteva and Simona Rizova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATE – NOVICE (8th-9th grade)

Finalists

  1. Yoana Dimitrova, Victoria Gospodinova, Krasimira Mateeva - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobirch

  2. Maria Todorova, Darena Lazarova, Greta Sivkova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna

Top Speaker Award

Maria Todorova - Dr Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATE – VARSITY (10th-12th grade)

Finalists

  1. Lila Ivanova, Maria Geogieva, Yuliana Yotova - Geo Milev ELS, Ruse 

  2. Georgi Todorov, Anna-Mariya Bogdanova, Yoan Ivanov - Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

Top Speaker Award

Yanita Balusheva - Dr Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

TEAM AWARDS

Small School Division 

Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

Large School Division 

Geo Milev Foreign Language High School, Dobrich

BEST Foundation