BEST Regional Tournament at Yordan Yovkov Primary School, Pleven – November 18-19, 2017

On 18 and 19 November, the BEST Foundation hosted its first tournament of the 2017-2018 season in Pleven. 271 high school students attended the English-language speech and debate event at Yordan Yovkov Primary School. This was the first BEST tournament hosted by both the school and the city of Pleven. Twenty-two teams from seventeen Bulgarian cities attended the tournament, including three first-time teams from Gotse Delchev, Blagoevgrad, Petrich, and Zlatitsa. Students competed in five events: Original Oratory, Duo Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, and World Schools Debate.

The Saturday morning opening ceremony was attended by special guest Martin Krastev, a representative of Camp Golden Gate, who spoke to students about the opportunities available at the American-style summer camp on the Black Sea. On Sunday afternoon, the event concluded with a closing ceremony attended by several honored guests, including Ivan Dimov of the Single Step Foundation, Angela Rodel and Iliana Dimitrova of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission, U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Matthew Hagengruber, and the mayor of Pleven, Mr. Georg Spartanski.

The BEST Foundation will host three additional tournaments during this school year. The next regional tournament will take place in Sliven on 9 and 10 December, targeting schools in eastern Bulgaria. Another two regional tournaments will be held in Sofia (17-18 February) and Dobrich (10-11 March) as well as the National Tournament in Plovdiv (28-29 April).

The BEST Foundation is extremely thankful to our hosts, Yordan Yovkov Primary School in Pleven and the Pleven municipality, as well as our supporters at the U.S. Embassy and Kinstellar, for helping make this tournament possible.

Below are the names of participating teams:

Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin
Foreign Language High School, Pleven
Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech
Tsar Simeon Veliki Secondary School, Vidin
Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana
Yane Sandanski MSHS, Gotse Delchev
Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa
Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia
Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia
Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad
Akad. S. P. Korolyov MSHS, Blagoevgrad
Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia
Simeon Radev FLHS, Pernik
Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets
Ivan Vazov FLHS, Smolyan
Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich
Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Secondary School, Petrich
Prof. D-r Asen Zlatarov PHSET, Petrich
Sveti Paisiy Hilendarski Secondary School, Zlatitsa
Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

AWARDS

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

Semifinalists

  • Peter Dimitrov – Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin

  • Valentina Nikolova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Valeriya Berkova – Ivan Vazov FLHS, Smolyan

  • Samuil Mladenov – Sveti Paisiy Hilendarski Secondary School, Zlatitsa

  • Mihaela Shtregarska – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Ivana Stoyanova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Dimana Stefanova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Bilyana Todorova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Anita Angelova – Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin

Finalists

  1. Kristiyan Mariov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  2. Valeriya Angelova – Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin

  3. Dimitar Borumov – Akad. S. P. Korolyov MSHS, Blagoevgrad

  4. Victoria Mineva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  5. Vasil Tilev – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  6. Mila Vladimirova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

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

Semifinalists

  • Mihaela Kafedzhiyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Hristina Todorova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Denimira Angelova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa

  • Tsvetislava Hristova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa

  • Stanislava Stefanova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  • Ivelin Stoev – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa

  • Niya Daskalova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

Finalists

  1. Stanislava Stefanova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

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

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

  4. Martina Kao – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  5. Alex Todorov – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  6. Mirela Georgieva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

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

Finalists

  1. Dimitrina Popova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  2. Dariya Dimitova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  3. Zhanet Velkova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  4. Radostina Bikova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  5. Vanessa Velkova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  6. Slavena Medova – Ivan Vazov FLHS, Smolyan

  7. Rozaliya Markova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Petya Kotsalova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  • Radina Terziyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Ani Popova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Ivayla Perusanova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Mirela Georgieva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Ana Filipova – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  • Magdalena Tancheva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Alex Todorov – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Mihaela Shtregarska – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Tanya Serdarova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Martin Peev – Yane Sandanski MSHS, Gotse Delchev

  • Hristina Tsonkova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Nikolay Petrov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

Semifinalists

  • Desislava Kostova – Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Secondary School, Petrich

  • Aleksandra Naydenova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Chana Dzhongova – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Nadezhda Traykova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  • Alexandra Markova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Valentina Goranova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

Finalists

  1. Georgi Petkov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  2. Sofia Naydenova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  3. Nikolay Gaydarov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

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

  5. Alexandar Petrov – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  6. Maya Peeva – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

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

Finalists

  1. Beatris Sashkova – Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin

  2. Elena Gelova – Akad. S. P. Korolyov MSHS, Blagoevgrad

  3. Radina Sahandzheva – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  4. Yana Shopova – Ivan Vazov FLHS, Smolyan

  5. Neda Miteva – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  6. Kristiyan Hristov – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Alexandra Petkova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Angel Petrov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Ani Popova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Anna Dimitrova – Ivan Vazov FLHS, Smolyan

  • Dinko Karafiziev – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

  • Irina Boeva – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

  • Krasimira Krastilova – Yane Sandanski MSHS, Gotse Delchev

  • Mihaela Ivanova – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

  • Mihaela Kafedzhiyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Radina Terziyska – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Vyara Stoyanova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Zdravko Buzulov – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

Semifinalists

  • Alexandra Georgieva – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Alexandra Radeva – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

  • Georgi Paparkov – Yane Sandanski MSHS, Gotse Delchev

  • Mariya Boycheva – Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin

  • Stela Trencheva – Akad. S. P. Korolyov MSHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Tsvetislava Hristova – Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa

 

Finalists

  1. Stanislava Stefanova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  2. Patrisiya Gospodinova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  3. Veselina Balabanova – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  4. Alexandra Dimcheva – Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

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

  6. Svilena Valkova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

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

Finalists

  1. Martina Tosheva and Valeri Marinova – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  2. Martina Naydenova and Vanessa Milen – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  3. Gergana Lilova and Vasil Tilev – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  4. Boyana Savova and Ralitsa Nedelcheva – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  5. Alexandra Spasova and Anna Angelova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  6. Lyubov Tabakova and Valeriya Kulkina – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Sofia Naydenova and Valentina Trifonova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Mirela Grancharova and Antoaneta Popinska – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Veronika Atanasova and Iliyana Ilieva – Foreign Language High School, Pleven

  • Yoana Filipova and Mariya Bambalova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Svetlina Angelova and Petar Petrov – Sveti Paisiy Hilendarski Secondary School, Zlatitsa

  • Maya Peeva and Alexandra Markova – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Chana Dzhongova and Elitsa Dimitrova – Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia

  • Asya Asenova and Ester Georgieva – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Teresa Aleksandrova and Miladin Peev – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  • Maxim Blagoev and Rosen Stoev – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

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

  • Kristiana Doncheva and Lora Genova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Patrisiya Gospodinova and Petra Gocheva – Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia

  • Mihaela Shtregarska and Denitsa Petrova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

Semifinalists

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

  • Vesela Georgieva and Petko Stoychev – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Simona Koleva and Vyara Stoyanova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Mirela Georgieva and Viktoria Ivanova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

  • Bilyana Kostadinova and Ivan Vaskov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

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

Finalists

  1. Nikolay Gaydarov and Georgi Petkov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  2. Alexandra Petkova and Rozaliya Markova – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  3. Magdalena Gyosheva and Elizaveta Polyakova – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

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

  5. Anatolia Stoycheva and Nikolay Petrov – Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  6. Ivalina Ivanova and Ivan Petrov – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

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

Finalists

  1. Julia Stepanova, Deniel Dimchev and Eli Todorova – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

  2. Diana Kichukova, Mihail Mihaylov and Debora Mihaylov – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

Individual Speaker Award

Deniel Dimchev – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

Sportsmanship Award

Marisa Radeva, Victoria Veselinova and Tereza Todorova – Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech

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

Finalists

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

  2. Erika Velev, Irina Boeva and Magdalena Gyosheva – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

Individual Speaker Award

Mihaela Ivanova – Zlatarski International High School, Sofia

Sportsmanship Award

Ivan Belyanov, Rosi Halevacheva and Dimitar Halachev – Yane Sandanski MSHS, Gotse Delchev

BEST Foundation