BEST Foundation Hosts its National and Largest Tournament of this Academic Year
On April 23, 24 and 25th 2021, The BEST Foundation will hold its national and final tournament of the 2020-2021 academic year. More than 250 top-performing students from all previous regional tournaments will compete in five events: World Schools Style debate, poetry and prose performance, duo interpretation, and original oratory.
Amidst a global pandemic, the foundation held all its tournaments online this year, using video-conferencing software. Still, it attracts hundreds of Bulgarian students, teachers, and other members of the BEST Foundation community from around the world.
Student Leader Maria Hristova, from Romain Rolland FLHS in Stara Zagora says: “BEST is an incredible adventure! It is such a pleasure for me to be part of this organization for 4 years now. Along with many new skills, I made friendships that I have never dreamed of! All the excitement throughout the tournaments brings ever-lasting memories, shared with awesome people. The preparation for the tournaments is a special bonding time for all teams and their members. Ahead of us is the National tournament for 2021 and all my teammates are looking forward to it! The rehearsals have already begun and everyone helps each other in order to present ourselves in the BEST way possible!
BEST Foundation’s staff, which mainly consists of volunteers, will be hosted at the office of the Fulbright Commission to run behind-the-scenes operations of the tournament and stream its opening and closing ceremonies where teams are introduced and awards are announced.
BEST is proud to have maintained a strong group of judges who are an essential part of the success of our tournaments and whom without their help our students won’t have a way of improving their critical thinking skills and speech delivery. Among our judges for the past year were Ms. Angela Rodel, Executive Director at the Fulbright Commission; Dimiter Kenarov, Bulgarian Journalist, and many other professionals and university students.
Krasi Shapkarova, a BEST tournament judge and a career coach at Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University, says: "This is my first time volunteering as a judge and I must say: fantastic performers! This is such a great opportunity for students!"
BEST held five tournaments this academic year including an international tournament for high school students from across five neighboring Balkan countries.
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 Contact: Petar Donchev: assistant.director@bestfoundation.bg