BEST National Tournament at Technical University and Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna – April 21-23, 2017

On 21-23 April, the BEST Foundation hosted its sixth and final tournament of the 2016-2017 tournament season in Varna. 336 high school students attended the English-language speech and debate event at Technical University – Varna and Yoan Ekzarh FLHS. The school, as well as the university, hosted their first-ever speech and debate tournament. 35 teams from 23 Bulgarian cities attended the tournament. Students competed in five events: Original Oratory, Duo Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, and World Schools Debate.

On Friday evening, the event began with an opening ceremony at Technical University – Varna, attended by three special guest speakers: Donika Ilieva – student council chair at Technical University – Varna, Jose Luis Lomeli – a former Peace Corps Bulgaria volunteer and co-founder of a new American-style summer camp at the Black Sea called Camp Golden Gate, and Ronald Harvey – Assistant Professor of Psychology at American University in Bulgaria. Jose Lomeli presented the exciting opportunity of two full scholarships to Camp Golden Gate to finalists in the tournament, to be selected through an application process post-tournament.

After two days of rigorous competition, the tournament ended with a closing and awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon at Yoan Ekzarh FLHS. Galina Germanova – principal of the school, and Dena Popova – executive director of BEST, addressed the competitors and congratulated them on their performance. Iliana Dimitrova and Rada Kaneva from the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission also attended the event as special guests, presenting awards to the winners along with Dena Popova.

The BEST Foundation aims to host six tournaments during the following 2017-2018 tournament season: two sets of two Regional tournaments, the annual US-Qualifier tournament, as well as a National tournament to close out the year. Currently BEST is working on sending two delegations to speech and debate tournaments abroad – six students to the 2017 NSDA National Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama in the USA, as well as selecting student debaters to form a Bulgarian International Debate Team who will represent the country at prestigious debate competitions in Europe.

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

Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad
Goethe GLHS, Burgas
Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas
Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy National Humanitarian High School , Burgas
Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo
EE High School, Galabovo
Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad
Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich
Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo
Bertolt Brecht FLHS, Pazardzhik
Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech
Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana
Gotse Delchev Primary School, Petrich
Nikola Vaptsarov SS, Petrich
Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich
Foreign Language High School, Pleven
Simeon Radev FLHS, Pernik
Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets
Sv. Konstantin-Kiril Filosof ELS, Ruse
Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse
Nikola Vaptsarov FLHS, Shumen
Nancho Popovich MSHS, Shumen
Atanas Burov Economics HS, Silistra
Peyo Yavorov FLHS, Silistra
Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven
Ivan Vazov FLHS, Smolyan
Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia
Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia
Zlatarski International School, Sofia
Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia
Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora
Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna
Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna
Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin
Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin

AWARDS

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Aleksandra Georgieva – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Ana-Maria Petrova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Andrea Kirlieva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Denislav Nenchev – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  • Dimana Stefanova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Gabriela Postalova – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Gergana Decheva – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Kristina Tamahkyarova – Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  • Martin Kyuchukov – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Maya Milanova – Atanas Burov Economics HS, Silistra

  • Niya Daskalova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Rozaliya Markova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Zhenya Marcheva – Peyo Yavorov FLHS, Silistra

Semifinalists

  • Emin Al-Juneyd – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Gabriela Cherneva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Gabriela Ivanova – Nikola Vaptsarov FLHS, Shumen

  • Kameliya Hristova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Mihaela Shtregarska – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Sabel Basheva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

Finalists

  1. Eva Ivanova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  2. Georgi Popov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  3. Hristina Tsonkova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  4. Gergana Lilova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  5. Gergana Genova – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  6. Blagovesta Neycheva – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Albena Valkova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Elena Sotirova – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Gergana Georgieva – Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  • James Mott – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Kaloyan Georgiev – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Mihaela Kafedzhiyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Neli Velichkova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Tanya Serdarova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Vanina Vladova – Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin

  • Zornitsa Georgieva – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

Semifinalists

  • Antonina Popova – Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  • Diana Babadzhanova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Martin Simeonov – Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad

  • Niya Ivanova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Radina Terziyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Seunghun Park – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

Finalists

  1. Stefani Chobanova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  2. Hristina Todorova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  3. Latina Penkova – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  4. Mario Mateev – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  5. Kristiyan Tsenov – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  6. Kristiana Hristova – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Bogomila Veleva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Doroteya Piralkova – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Iliyan Hristov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Katerina Bakhtigalieva – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

  • Mariya Stoeva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Martin Kyuchukov – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Mihaela Shtregarska – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Nadezhda Hristova – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

  • Nevena Atanasova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Rozaliya Markova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Viktoria Parvanova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

Semifinalists

  • Ana-Maria Petrova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Andzhelo Madzharski – Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia

  • Dariya Dimitrova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Kristina Baleva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Simona Gyuzleva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Stela Kisyova – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

Finalists

  1. Denitsa Balcheva – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  2. Georgi Popov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  3. Maya Peeva – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  4. Yulvie Izet Nuri – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  5. Martina Kao – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  6. Ani Popova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Alex Todorov – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Antonina Popova – Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  • Elena Sotirova – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Ivan Vaskov  – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Kamelia Peykova – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Lina Ayubi – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Margarita Zlatanova  – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Martin Simeonov – Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad

  • Mihaela Kafedzhiyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Monika Ruseva – Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia

  • Roberta Tihomirova  – Simeon Radev FLHS, Pernik

  • Tanya Serdarova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Yoan Hristov – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

Semifinalists

  • Georgi Katevski – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Gergana Milkova – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Kristina Petrova – Sv. Konstantin-Kiril Filosof ELS, Ruse

  • Mirela Georgieva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Radina Terziyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Valentina Trifonova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

Finalists

  1. Denislav Biserov – Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin

  2. Viktoria Ivanova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  3. Kristiyan Georgiev – Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad

  4. Ani Rafikovna – Atanas Burov Economics HS, Silistra

  5. Mikaela Dundalova – Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  6. Janeta Jekova – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

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

Semifinalists

  • Bozhidar Klouchek – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

  • Galina Petrova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Julien Tashev – EE High School, Galabovo

  • Nikol Bakalova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  • Reneta Georgieva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Zhenya Marcheva – Peyo Yavorov FLHS, Silistra

Finalists

  1. Tsvetelina Tsoneva – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

  2. Maria Boycheva – Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin

  3. Valeriya Germanova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

  4. Irina Boeva – Zlatarski International School, Sofia

  5. Simona Georgieva – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  6. Vyara Stoyanova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Alex Todorov – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Alexandra Petkova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Geri Hristozova – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Ivaylo Ilchev – Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad

  • Marieta Milusheva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Patrisiya Gospodinova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Plamen Dermendzhiev – Goethe GLHS, Burgas

  • Tsvetelina Marova – Bertolt Brecht FLHS, Pazardzhik

  • Tsvetelina Vaseva – Simeon Radev FLHS, Pernik

Semifinalists

  • Bilyana Kostadinova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Delyan Petkov – Goethe GLHS, Burgas

  • Kristiyan Tsenov – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  • Natali Ilieva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Simona Koleva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Stanislava Stefanova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

Finalists

  1. Latina Penkova – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  2. Mario Mateev – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  3. James Mott – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  4. Alexandra Guleva – Bertolt Brecht FLHS, Pazardzhik

  5. Stefani Chobanova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  6. Valentin Velkov – Nikola Vaptsarov FLHS, Shumen

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

Semifinalists

  • Alexandrina Andonova and Antoniya Rusalieva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Jennifer Dimitrova and Kristiyan Pechovski – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Ana-Maria Petrova and Iliyan Hristov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Nikola Todorov and Stoil Maslarski – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Elizaveta Polyakova and Magdalena Gyosheva – Zlatarski International School, Sofia

  • Tsvetelina Dzhonova and Kameliya Hristova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

Finalists

  1. Georgi Popov and Gergana Decheva – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  2. Elina Dimova and Gabriela Postalova – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  3. Reneta Georgieva and Kristina Baleva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  4. Lora Vasileva and Boyana Alexandrova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  5. Alexandra Markova and Maya Peeva – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

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

Semifinalists

  • Nelina Hristova and Leya Koleva – Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy National Humanitarian High School , Burgas

  • Dayana Stoynova and Magdalena Metodieva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Simona Koleva and Mirela Georgieva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Bozhidar Stoyanov and Kristiana Hristova – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Maria-Magdalena Boteva and Teodora Koleva – Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy National Humanitarian High School , Burgas

  • Sofia Naydenova and Ivan Vaskov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

Finalists

  1. Magdalena Tancheva and Neli Velichkova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  2. Georgi Petkov and Nikolay Gaidarov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  3. Mario Mateev and Marieta Milusheva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  4. Ivalina Ivanova and Miladin Peev – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  5. Patrisiya Gospodinova and Petra Gocheva – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  6. Kristina Vitanova and Hristina Todorova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

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

Finalists

  1. Veselina Gergishanova, Mihaela Ivanova and Elizaveta Polyakova – Zlatarski International School, Sofia

  2. Yulvie Izet Nuri, Simona Gyuzleva and Kristina Baleva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

Individual Speaker Award

Yulvie Izet Nuri – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

Sportsmanship Award

Yulvie Izet Nuri, Simona Gyuzleva and Kristina Baleva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

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

Finalists

  1. Kristiyan Peev, Kristian Tsonevski and Kalina Naydenova – Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse

  2. Konstantin Peev, Delyan Petkov and Aya Taseva – Goethe GLHS, Burgas

Individual Speaker Award

Sava Dimitrov – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

Sportsmanship Award

Ivan Dyankov, Deyan Gerginov and Petar Avramov – Bertolt Brecht FLHS, Pazardzhik

TEAM AWARDS

Small School Division (12 or fewer participants)

Foreign Language High School, Pleven

Large School Division (more than 12 participants)

Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

BEST Foundation