BIGGEST NATIONALS YET FOR BEST

On April 22nd  and 23rd  BEST Foundation held its National Tournament for the 2022-2023 academic year in The University of Nationals and World Economy in Sofia. The national tournament is attended by any students who reached semifinals or finals in our regional tournaments, as well as the top six debate teams. We had close to 250 young adults from all over Bulgaria participate in five categories: Original Oratory, Duo Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation and World Schools Debate. Our Nationals could not have happened without the support and hard work of the over 80 judges who dedicated their weekend to evaluating the outstanding performances our community had in store for them. This is the culmination of an amazing year for us after 4 regional competitions, as well as the international oratory tournament Balkan Voices, all of which gathered extraordinarily high interest, as well as high attendance rates. This April also marks the 10th year anniversary of BEST Foundation and we couldn’t have asked for a better way of celebrating than hosting our biggest yet Nationals! 

We are extremely grateful to our hosts, UNWE, for agreeing to support us for a second time with this very important event. The university was represented by  Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov (Rector), Prof. dr. Matilda Alexandrova (Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs) and Associate Professor PhD Mihail Musov (Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation), who were a part of our opening and closing ceremony! Their motivational words inspired our students and the UNWE’s Rector, along with our Executive Director Vanya Zlateva, personally handed out awards to the winners at the very end. 

BEST is also thankful to the US Embassy in Sofia for their financial support without which our tournaments would not be possible. We were more than honored that new US ambassador Kenneth Merten decided to make one of his first public appearances at our competition and spoke in front of our students about the importance of the skills they cultivate through speech and debate. We’d also like to express our gratitude to the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission, who provided us with judges and whose Executive Director Angela Rodel attended our Nationals and showed support for our cause through her speech during our opening ceremony. 

A number of other important guests were a part of our Nationals. Renowned journalist Blagoy Tzitzelkov, a part of NOVA TV, member of the Board of the Union of Journalists and consultant on the media literacy program at the Lachezar Tsotsorkov Foundation not only highlighted the significance of our mission, which prepares students better for professions such as his own, but also covered the event on national television. Eneya Georgieva, an UNWE alumni and editor at Forbes Bulgaria, was present during our opening ceremony as well.  

Our Executive Director Vanya Zlateva also expressed just how amazing hosting this academic year’s final tournament has been: “This past weekend, we were absolutely blown away by the sheer talent, creativity, and courage displayed here in every single category. Congratulations everyone on your performances and thank you for taking us on the emotional rollercoaster ride!”.

We’re also looking forward to seeing the efforts of our student leaders, who will be meeting to wrap up the year and present their community projects during this upcoming week. The Nationals conclude our activities for the academic 2022-2023. We hope our community has an enjoyable and fruitful summer and looks forward to all the events, workshops and tournaments we will be hosting in the near future.

National Tournament Awards

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

Blagoevgrad, Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS 

Dobrich, Geo Milev FLHS 

Haskovo, Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS 

Varna, Dr. Petar Beron Maths School 

Gotse Delchev, PMG Yane Sandanski 

Pravets, Aleko Konstantinov FLHS 

Razgrad, Ekzarh Yossif FLHS 

Vidin, Yordan Radichkov FLS 

Lovech, Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS 

Shumen, Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and S 

Silistra, Peyo Yavorov 

Sliven, Zaharii Stoyanov ELS 

Sofia, 97th school Bratya Miladinovi 

Sofia, Second English Language School 

Gabrovo, Aprilov National 

Montana, Peter Bogdan FLHS 

Stara Zagora, Romain Rolland FLHS 

Kyustendil, Dr. Petar Beron Language School 

Sofia, 119th School 

Blagoevgrad, Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science H 

Burgas, Geo Milev GPAE 

Sofia, 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School 

Dimitrovgrad, Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLS 

Varna, First Language School 

Ruse, Geo Milev ELS 

AWARDS

POETRY INTERPRETATION – NOVICE (8th-9th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Adelina Tsvetkova - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen 

  • Ivelina Marinova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich 

  • Nikol Mihaylska - Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets 

  • Hristian Pashkulev - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen 

  • Victoria Kostova - Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLS, Dimitrovgrad 

  • Tsvetoslava Garvanska - Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets 

Finalists

  1. Elena Totten - Zaharii Stoyanov ELS, Sliven 

  2. Gergana Georgieva - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia 

  3. Nadezhda Kancehva - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia 

  4. Hristiyana Stoycheva - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  5. Zornitsa Ivanova - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra 

  6. Beloslava Rafailova- Zaharii Stoyanov ELS, Sliven 

POETRY INTERPRETATION – VARSITY (10th-12th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Hrisiana Radoeva - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Lilian Djoneva - Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Aleksandra Boyanova - Yordan Radichkov FLS, Vidin 

  • Elena Petrova - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

  • Zarina Popova - Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Kalina Hristova Nikolova - Zaharii Stoyanov ELS, Sliven 

Finalists

  1. Viktoria Daskalova - Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  2. Christina Yanakieva - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

  3. Tatyana Vlaikova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich 

  4. Maya Bateva - Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  5. Nikolay Dimitrov - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  6. Danaya Krasimirova - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad

PROSE INTERPRETATION – NOVICE (8th-9th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Gergana Georgieva - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia 

  • Alexander Stanchev - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

  • Kalina Stoykova - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra

  • Melissa Mehmed - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra

  • Nikoleta Museva - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna  

  • Yana Martinova - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia 

Finalists

  1. Emma Lebron - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  2. Kaloyan Georgiev - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  3. Jizel Kyoseva - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

  4. Darina Bosilkova - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra 

  5. Raya Andreeva - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

  6. Ana-Kristina Zdravkova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

PROSE INTERPRETATION – VARSITY (10th-12th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Desislava Kyoseva - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

  • Ekaterina Osipova - First Language School, Varna 

  • Alis Docheva - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra

  • Krasimira Mateeva - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Teya Tosheva -  Yordan Radichkov FLS, Vidin 

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

Finalists

  1. Yanislav Ivanov - Zaharii Stoyanov ELS, Sliven

  2. Zornitsa Dimitrova - Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana 

  3. Ekaterina Dimcheva - Zaharii Stoyanov ELS, Sliven

  4. Alexander NIkolaev - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  5. Tatyana Vlaikova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  6. Katalina Yordanova - 97th school Bratya Miladinovi, Sofia 

ORIGINAL ORATORY – NOVICE (8th-9th grade)

Finalists

  1. Mara Teodora Mazilu - British School, Sofia 

  2. Yana Martinova - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  3. Sofia Bogdanska - Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  4. Stela Mineva - First Language School, Varna 

  5. Yoana Trailova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

  6. Violeta Pehlivanova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

ORIGINAL ORATORY – VARSITY (10th-12th grade)

Semifinalists

  • Alexandra Dimova - Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science HS, Blagoevgrad 

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

  • Ivo Radev -  Geo Milev GPAE, Burgas

  • Melda Hikmet - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

  • Yoana Dimitrova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich 

  • Ivelina Kuzmanova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

  • Katherina Nankova - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna 

Finalists

  1. Ana Limonova - Team Plovdiv 

  2. Viktoria Daskalova - Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  3. Ekaterina Osipova - First Language School, Varna 

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

  5. Christina Yanakiev - Ekzarh Yossif FLHS, Razgrad 

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

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

Novice Finalists

  1. Darina Bosilkova and Melissa Mehmed - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra 

  2. Anna-Maria Vladimirova and Yoana Chaeva -  97th school Bratya Miladinovi, Sofia 

  3. Vanessa Todorova and Ana Trichkova - Second English Language School, Sofia 

Semifinalists

  • Petya Vasileva and Simona Rizova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich 

  • Valentina Angelova and Kristian Romanov -  97th school Bratya Miladinovi, Sofia 

  • Magdalina Koleva and Hristomir Yordanov - Yordan Radichkov FLS, 

  • Vanessa Todorova and Ana Trichkova - Second English Language School, Sofia 

  • Anna-Maria Vladimirova and Yoana Chaeva - 97th school Bratya Miladinovi, Sofia 

  • Denislava Petkova and Denitsa Ivanova - Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich 

  • Aleksandra Emamzade and Albena Pavlova - Second English Language School, Sofia 

Finalists

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

  2. Alexander NIkolaev and Stefani Strezova - 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  3. Reni Petrova and Zornitsa Dimitrova - Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana 

  4. Blagovesta Georgieva and Gergana Filipova - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra 

  5. Lilian Djoneva and Viktoria Daskalova - Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  6. Darina Bosilkova and Melissa Mehmed - Peyo Yavorov, Silistra 

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

Finalists

  1. Karina Velikova, Magdalena Pastuhova, Kristina Shadova - 119th School, Sofia 

  2. Kristian Mateev, Yoana Chaeva, Boris Ignatov, Anna-Maria Vladimirova - 97th School Bratya Miladinovi, Sofia 

Top Speaker Awards

  1. Skye Thomlison - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo 

  1. Mihail Indzhov - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo 

  2. Yoanna Bimbova - Liyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad 

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

Finalists

  1. Izel Hatirnaz, Ana Limonova, Rosen Razpopov - Team Plovdiv 

  2. Martin Hristov, Katerina Krastilova, Maria Kozareva, Ava Shengova - PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev 

Top Speakers Award

  1. Maria Georgieva - Geo Milev ELS, Ruse 

  2. Katerina Krastilova - PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev 

  3. Rosen Razpopov - Akad. Kiril Popov, Plovdiv 

TEAM AWARDS

Small School Division 

51st Elisaveta Bagryana School. Sofia  

Large School Division 

Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad 


BEST Foundation