BEST Regional Tournament at Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas – March 11-12, 2017

On 11 & 12 March, the BEST Foundation hosted its fourth regional tournament of the 2016-2017 school year in Burgas. 314 student competitors from 31 schools across the country attended the English-language speech and debate event at Geo Milev English Language High School in Burgas. Students competed in five events: Original Oratory, Duo Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, and World Schools Debate. With 314 participating students, 70 judges, and 15 student volunteers, this was BEST’s largest regional tournament to date.

Of the 31 schools in attendance, 22 partner with the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Program and the America for Bulgaria Foundation to host English Teaching Assistants. Additionally, 27 ETAs and one Fulbright Researcher volunteered as coaches, judges, and chaperones.

On Saturday morning, the event began with an opening ceremony attended by special guest speaker and tournament judge Jose Luis Lomeli, a former Peace Corps Bulgaria volunteer and the co-founder of a new American-style summer camp at the Black Sea called Camp Golden Gate. At the upcoming National Tournament, Camp Golden Gate will award full scholarships to two winning students. Rada Kaneva from the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission also attended the event as a judge and special guest, presenting awards to the winners on Sunday afternoon. After the closing ceremony, students from the host school, Geo Milev ELHS, led participants in the horo.

This tournament was the last of four regional tournaments held during the 2016-2017 school year. Previous tournaments took place in Vratsa, Shumen, and Pazardzhik. Two additional tournaments – the US Qualifier and Nationals – remain in Blagoevgrad and Varna, respectively. On 1-2 April, American University in Bulgaria will host the US Qualifier Tournament. Students will compete in Original Oratory and Duo Interpretation, with the first and second-place winners qualifying to attend the American NSDA National Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama. On 21-23 April, BEST’s National Tournament will be hosted by Foreign Language High School “Yoan Ekzarh” in Varna.

Below are the names of participating teams, with teams participating for the first time underlined, and the list of awards; 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 SS, 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
Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana
Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich
Foreign Language High School, Pleven
Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets
Baba Tonka MSHS, Ruse
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
Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia
Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia
Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia
American College of Sofia, Sofia
Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora
Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna
Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna
Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa
Sveti Paisiy Hilendarski SS, Zlatitsa

AWARDS

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

Semifinalists

  • Sabel Basheva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Blagovesta Neycheva – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Maya Milanova – Atanas Burov Economics HS, Silistra

  • Denitsa Balcheva – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  • Mariya Stoeva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Bogomila Veleva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

Finalists

  1. Momchil Dimitrov – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

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

  3. Gergana Genova – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  4. Doroteya Piralkova – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  5. Iliyan Hristov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

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

Quarterfinalists

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

  • Assel Ismoldayeva – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

  • Denimira Angelova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa

  • Elena Marinova – Nancho Popovich MSHS, Shumen

  • Elena Sotirova – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Emanuela Kozhleeva – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  • Emi Karagiozova – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Gergana Milkova – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Hristi Dragomirova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

  • Jenny Mechkova – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  • Kamelia Peykova – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Latina Penkova – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  • Siyana Dracheva – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Sofia Gramatikova – Goethe GLHS, Burgas

Semifinalists

  • Boris Dechev – Nancho Popovich MSHS, Shumen

  • Diana Drumeva – Peyo Yavorov FLHS, Silistra

  • Gabriela Yordanova – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  • Gergana Georgieva – Goethe GLHS, Burgas

  • Kristian Tsenov – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  • Margarita Zlatanova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Nevena Tsarevska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Steliyana Yordanova – Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse

Finalists

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

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

  3. Stanislava Stefanova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  4. Nikoleta Nikovska – Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

  5. Katerina Petkova – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

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

Semifinalists

  • Aleksandra Georgieva – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Bogomila Veleva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Dimitrina Georgieva – Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia

  • Gabriela Gencheva – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

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

  • Nikol Trevnenska – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

Finalists

  1. Iliyan Hristov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

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

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

  4. Katerina Bakhtigaliyeva – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

  5. Anna Cherneva – Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia

  6. Denitsa Balcheva – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Bozhidar Stoyanov – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Diana Drumeva – Peyo Yavorov FLHS, Silistra

  • Elena Sotirova – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Gergana Milkova – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Iva Keremedchieva – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Kamelia Peykova – Geo Milev FLHS, Dobrich

  • Katerina Petkova – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

  • Lina Ayubi – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Margarita Zlatanova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Maria Ilieva – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Martin Simeonov – Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad

  • Nikolay Chernev – Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia

  • Siyana Dracheva – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Tsvetislava Hristova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa

Semifinalists

  • Alex Todorov – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Kristian Georgiev – Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad

  • Kristiana Hristova – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

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

  • Tanya Serdarova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Zornitsa Borislavova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa

Finalists

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

  2. Ilin Papazyan – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  3. Magdalena Metodieva – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  4. Nevena Tsarevska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  5. Milen Atanasov – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  6. Niki Yonkov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

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

Semifinalists

  • Julien Тashev – EE High School, Galabovo

  • Galina Petrova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Zhenya Marcheva – Peyo Yavorov FLHS, Silistra

  • Boril Obreshkov – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Tsvetelina Dzhonova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Tsvetelina Tsoneva – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

  • Elena Mihaylova – Baba Tonka MSHS, Ruse

Finalists

  1. Gergana Decheva – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  2. Bozhidar Klouchek – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

  3. Ognyana Vasileva – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

  4. Velislav Velikov – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  5. Valeria Germanova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

  6. Zdravko Buzolov – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Alexandra Mukareva – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Geri Hristozova – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Ivan Valkanov – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

  • Jenny Mechkova – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  • Kristian Tsenov – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  • Magdalena Georgieva – Baba Tonka MSHS, Ruse

  • Plamen Dermendzhiev – Goethe GLHS, Burgas

  • Stanislava Stefanova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  • Viktoria Dimova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

  • Yoan Popov – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

Semifinalists

  • Alex Todorov – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Ivaylo Ilchev – Dr. Ivan Bogorov FLHS, Dimitrovgrad

  • Nataliya Ivanova – Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Presiana Dimitrova – Baba Tonka MSHS, Ruse

  • Preslava Ivanova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Varna

Finalists

  1. James Mott – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

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

  3. Alexandra Petkova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  4. Latina Penkova – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  5. Kristiana Dimitrova – Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse

  6. Assel Ismoldayeva – Dr. Petar Beron MHS, Varna

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

Finalists

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

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

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

  4. Elianna Slavova and Stela Kisyova – Zahariy Stoyanov WHS, Sliven

  5. Doroteya Piralkova and Aleksandra Georgieva – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

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

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

Semifinalists

  • Dayana Ivanova and Bogomila Kitanova – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Nona Petkova and Silvina Mihaylova – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Yoana Encheva and Sava Dimitrov – Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora

  • Nilay Gyunay and Yordanka Stoyanova – Nikola Vaptsarov FLHS, Shumen

  • Nelina Hristova and Leya Koleva – Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy SS, Burgas

  • Mihaela Asenova and Iliyan Minev – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

Finalists

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

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

  3. Valentin Velkov and Nikola Dragomirov – Nikola Vaptsarov FLHS, Shumen

  4. Maria Magdalena Boteva and Teodora Koleva – Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy SS, Burgas

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

  6. Ivan Valkanov and Alexandra Mukareva – Geo Milev ELHS, Burgas

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

Finalists

  1. Kalina Hristova, Mila Nacheva and Liliya Hristova – Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse

  2. Nikolay Dzhambov, Asen Peshev and Preslava Boycheva – American College of Sofia, Sofia

Individual Speaker Award

Viktoria Papazova – American College of Sofia, Sofia

Sportsmanship Award

Radina Shtereva, Mariya Obretenova and Mariela Mihaylova – Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse

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

Finalists

  1. Mihaela Lekova, Karina Gencheva and Zdravka Todorova – American College of Sofia, Sofia

  2. Kristiyan Peev, Valentin Kostov and Kristian Tsonevski – Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse

Individual Speaker Award

Kristiyan Peev – Geo Milev ELHS, Ruse

Sportsmanship Award

Siyana Tsvetkova, Ilektra-Dobrina Lekka and Ivelin Karchev – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

TEAM AWARDS

Small School Division (12 or fewer participants)

Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo

Large School Division (more than 20 participants)

Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

BEST Foundation