Bulgaria's Top Young Public Speakers Revealed at BEST Foundation's National Speech and Debate Tournament

From April 23-25 the BEST Foundation hosted its 42nd English speech and debate tournament. Nearly 200 high school students participated in the competition, representing thirty-four schools from across Bulgaria. The tournament was held online in the interest of community health, but students still gave live performances 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 enormously proud to offer a platform for these young students on their journey through English education and creative expression. We are also very proud and grateful to our diverse group of volunteer judges who include not only school teachers, university professors, consultants and more professionals but also university students who specialize in disciplines such as communications, economics, law, creative arts and more. Running the events virtually has its advantage of expanding our judge collective to include expatriate Bulgarians and volunteers from different countries who feel a connection to Bulgaria. Rumena Gospodinova who is a senior English Teacher at  St Cyrilus Philosopher Ruse said: “It was an inspiring experience and every competitor was really great, a real treasure! Thanks to the Management Team for the support.”


BEST Foundation is especially grateful to the US Embassy in Sofia for their financial support, without which, these tournaments would not have been possible. BEST would also like to thank the team at the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission led by Angela Rodel for their endless support. We would also like to thank The American University in Bulgaria for providing raffle gifts for coaches and judges. Special thanks also go to all our partners who have supported us throughout this academic year including 51st Elisaveta Bagryana High School Sofia, 119th Secondary School Sofia, AEG Geo Milev Burgas, the Bulgarian Debate Association, Brain Academy, Open Sofia Foundation, CareerHub and InGlobo Magazine. 


Our last event of the year is the Student Leaders Wrap-Up seminar On May 7 8th, where 60 students from across Bulgaria will present their community projects which they have worked on with their teams, describe the challenges they faced and offer solutions for sustaining the project after they graduate from high school. For more information on the Student Leader Program visit https://bestfoundation.bg/about/student-leaders 


About The BEST Foundation 


BEST stands for Bulgarian English Speech and Debate Tournaments. Established in 2013, BEST provides the English-language learners of Bulgaria an opportunity to come together and pursue personal growth through English language speech and debate. BEST aims to empower students to think critically, express themselves creatively, and create a dynamic community that truly cares about the success and the future of Bulgaria. BEST is proud to provide a platform for English-language speech and debate for students across the country.


MEDIA CONTACTS: Petar Donchev: assistant.director@bestfoundation.bg 


NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AWARDS


Below are the names of participating teams and winners from the West Spring 2021 Regional tournament; you can view results on Speechwire, as well. Bear in mind that the Team Sweepstakes score does not reflect debate, since we tab debate on different software.


Participating Schools/Teams

119th Secondary School Acad. Mihail Arnaudov, Sofia

12th High School Tsar Ivan Asen II, Sofia

97th Secondary School Bratya Miladinovi, Sofia

Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad

Aleko Konstantinov Foreign Language High School, Pravets

Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

Baba Tonka High School of Mathematics, Ruse

Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

Dr. Petar Beron Language School, Kyustendil

Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

Yoan Ekzarh Fifth Language High School, Varna

First Language School, Varna

Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

Ekzarh Yosif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

Yordan Radichkov Foreign Language High School, Vidin

Geo Milev English Language School, Ruse

Geo Milev Foreign Language High School, Dobrich

Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

Hristo Botev Foreign Language High School, Kardzhali

Ioan Ekzarh Language School, Vratsa

Ivan Vasov Language School, Smolyan

Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

Goethe German Language High School, Burgas

Otets Paisiy, Samokov

Peter Bogdan Foreign Language High School, Montana

PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

Saint Paisiy Hilendarski High School, Zlatitsa

Second English Language School, Sofia

Foreign Language School, Plovdiv

Tsar Simeon Veliki Secondary School, Vidin

Vasil Karagyozov Language School, Yambol

Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  

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

Semifinalists

  • Teodora Borisova - Peter Bogdan Foreign Language High School, Montana

  • Ivana Vitanova - PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Teya Tosheva - Yordan Radichkov Foreign Language High School, Vidin

  • Ekaterina Dimcheva - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  • Simona Pencheva - Aleko Konstantinov Foreign Language High School, Pravets

  • Helena Kondrova - Second English Language School, Sofia

Finalists

  1. Siana Kuznetsova - Second English Language School, Sofia

  2. Alexandra Petrova - Dr. Petar Beron Language School, Kyustendil

  3. Nikolay Dimitrov - Geo Milev Foreign Language High School, Dobrich

  4. Zarina Andonova - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  5. Desislava Taseva - Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad


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

Semifinalists

  • Fiona Totten - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  • Kristiyana Kiranska - Ekzarh Yosif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

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

  • Desislava Andasorova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Tiffany Minkova - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  • Veneta Salyahetdinova - Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad

  • Ivelin Subev - Ekzarh Yosif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

Finalists

  1. Dimitar Borumov - Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad

  2. Gery Lilova - Second English Language School, Sofia

  3. Kristiyan Stoyanov - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  4. Gergana Boycheva - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  5. Victoria Daskalova - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  6. Ekaterina Osipova - First Language School, Varna

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

Semifinalists

  • Iva Petrova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

  • Bilyana Dimova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  • Vyara Gramatikova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  • Zornitsa Dimitrova - Peter Bogdan Foreign Language High School, Montana

  • Nikolai Petrov - Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

  • Virginia Petkova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

Finalists

  1. Teya Tosheva - Yordan Radichkov Foreign Language High School, Vidin

  2. Desislava Taseva - Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad

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

  4. Zarina Andonova - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  5. Reni Petrova - Peter Bogdan Foreign Language High School, Montana

  6. Raya Dimitrova - Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

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

Semifinalists

  • Elena Tsekovska - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  • Desislava Andasorova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Kristiyan Stoyanov - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  • Maria Dimova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Anita Ivanova - Yordan Radichkov Foreign Language High School, Vidin

  • Bozhidara Tsoneva - Ekzarh Yosif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

Finalists 

  1. Gery Lilova - Second English Language School, Sofia

  2. Dimitrina Belnikolovska - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  3. Ivelin Subev - Ekzarh Yosif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  4. Kristiyana Kiranska - Ekzarh Yosif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

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

  6. Gergana Boycheva - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

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

Semifinalists

  • Magdalina Dimitrova and Daniel Yordanov - Dr. Petar Beron Language School, Kyustendil

  • Adelina Nikolova and Alexandra Petrova - Dr. Petar Beron Language School, Kyustendil

  • Mihaela Georgieva and Teodora Borisova - Peter Bogdan Foreign Language High School, Montana

  • Tatyana Vlaykova and Presiyana Dimova - Geo Milev Foreign Language High School, Dobrich

  • Magdalina Nikolaeva and Ivana Iotova - Aleko Konstantinov Foreign Language High School, Pravets

  • Ivana Spasova and Victoria Daskalova - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

Finalists

  1. Emiliyan Andreev and Radislav Stefanov - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

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

  3. Zornitsa Dimitrova and Reni Petrova - Peter Bogdan Foreign Language High School, Montana

  4. Dimitar Minkov and Dima Georgieva - Geo Milev Foreign Language High School, Dobrich

  5. Desislava Andasorova and Aleksandra Stoilova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  6. Nikola Angelov and Genadi Iliev - Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

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

Finalists 

  1. Mariya Georgiev - Geo Milev ELS, Rousse

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

  3. Ralitza Parvanova - 12th High School Tsar Ivan Asen II, Sofia

  4. Simona Yordanova - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  5. Virginia Petkova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

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

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

Semifinalists

  • Tereza Todorova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

  • Mihaela Marinova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

  • Niya Dobreva - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Aleksandra Stoilova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Danaya Krasimirova - Ekzarh Yosif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  • Ekaterina Valeva - Plovdiv Foreign Language School

  • Daria Dimitrova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

Finalists

  1. Stiliyan Petrov - Dr. Petar Beron Maths School, Varna

  2. Slavcho Balabanov - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

  3. Stephan Kozelov - PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  4. Ekaterina Osipova - First Language School, Varna

  5. Savina Kaneva - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

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

Finalists

  1. Maria Georgieva, Lila Ivanova and Yuliana Yotova - Geo Milev English Language School, Ruse

  2. Virginia Petkova, Tsvetelina Dimovska and Yoana Antonova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

Sportsmanship Award

  • Virginia Petkova, Tsvetelina Dimovska and Yoana Antonova - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

  • Viktor Stefanov, Svetoslava Turpanova and Ivo Radev - Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

  • Anka Petrova, Konstantin Spassov and Dimitar Karaltiev - Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad

Top Speaker Award

  • Maria Geogieva - Geo Milev English Language School, Ruse

  • Lila Ivanova - Geo Milev English Language School, Ruse


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

Finalists

  1. Yasen Zhekov, Denislav Drachev and Malena Malcheva - Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

  2. Boris Pahomov, Aleksandar Dimitrov and Martin Kutsarov - Baba Tonka High School of Mathematics, Ruse

Sportsmanship Award
Radislav Stefanov , Emiliyan Andreev and Bogdan Todorov - Ekzarh Yosif I Foreign Language High School, Lovech

Top Speaker Award

Malena Malcheva - Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

TEAM AWARDS

Small Team Award

Second English High School, Sofia

Large Team Award

Lyudmil Stoyanov Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad


BEST Foundation