BEST Regional Tournament at Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia – February 17-18, 2018

On 17 & 18 February, the BEST Foundation hosted its third tournament of the 2017-2018 school year in Sofia. 339 high school students attended the English-language speech and debate event at Akad. Mihail Arnaudov, the school’s first time hosting a BEST tournament. 27 teams from 18 Bulgarian cities attended the tournament. Students competed in five events: Original Oratory, Duo Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, and World Schools Debate.

BEST is especially grateful to Director Diyan Stamatov and Deputy Directors Irina Filipova and Simeon Angelov of 119th School, and to the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission and the US Embassy for their ongoing support. BEST would also like to thank the following organizations and individuals for attending the tournament and providing our students with information about numerous extracurricular opportunities: Teach for Bulgaria, Petar Proykov; CORPlus, Dimitar Tsekov; ASSIST/Bulgarian Reading Association, Lydia Dachkova and Vyn Logan; Sofia Platform, Polina Spasova and colleagues; Single Step, Nikoleta Gabrovska and Ivan Dimov; American Councils, Jelena Djokovic; U.S. Embassy, Mathew Hagengruber and his daughter Anya; American University in Bulgaria, Desislava Manova and Konstantina Georgieva; EducationUSA, Snejana Teneva.

The BEST Foundation will host three additional tournaments during this school year. The next regional tournament will take place in Dobrich on 10 & 11 March, targeting schools in Eastern Bulgaria. BEST will also host Bulgaria’s first international oratory tournament, in conjunction with the American University in Bulgaria, from 31 March – 1 April. The National tournament will be held in Plovdiv on 28-29 April.

Below are the names of participating teams:

American College of Sofia, Sofia
Akad. Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad
Akad. S. P. Korolyov MSHS, Blagoevgrad
Yane Sandanski MSHS, Gotse Delchev
Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov FLHS, Haskovo
Hristo Botev FLHS, Kardzhali
Ekzarh Yosif I FLHS, Lovech
Petar Bogdan FLHS, Montana
Bertolt Brecht FLHS, Pazardzhik
Simeon Radev FLHS, Pernik
FLHS, Pleven
Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets
Peyo Yavorov High School, Silistra
Ivan Vazov FLHS, Smolyan
Akad. Mihail Arnaudov 119th School, Sofia
Elisaveta Bagryana 51st School, Sofia
Thomas Jefferson SELS, Sofia
Zlatarski International High School, Sofia
Romain Rolland FLHS, Stara Zagora
Tsar Simeon Veliki Secondary School, Vidin
Yordan Radichkov FLHS, Vidin
Yoan Ekzarh FLHS, Vratsa
Sveti Paisiy Hilendarski Secondary School, Zlatitsa
Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Secondary School, Petrich
Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich
Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Professional High School of Economics and Tourism, Petrich

AWARDS

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

Semifinalists

  • Rozaliya Markova – Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Anita Angelova – Yordan Radichkov FLS, Vidin

  • Mihaela Smilkova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Dimitar Borumov – Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad

  • Mila Vladimirova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Viktoria Parvanova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Radina Beleva – Second English Language School , Sofia

Finalists

  1. Berfin Yusein – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

  2. Gergana Lilova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  3. Christiyan Mariov  – Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  4. Dimana Stefanova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  5. Samuil Mladenov – Zlatitsa High School, Zlatitsa

  6. Valeria Angelova – Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Siyana Angelova – Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  • Eva Ivanova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  • Boris Borislavov – Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin

  • Viktoria Ivanova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Lubka Angelinina – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Antonina Popova – FLS Prof Dr Assen Zlatarov, Haskovo

  • Park Seung Hun  – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Christina Tamahkyarova – FLS Prof Dr Assen Zlatarov, Haskovo

  • Cvetomira Gergenenova – 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  • Mihaela Shtregarska – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Lubka Angelinina – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

Semifinalists

  • Reneta Yakimova – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  • Borislava Vasileva – Foreign Language School, Pleven

  • Sabel Basheva – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Vyara Stoyanova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Alexandra Markova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  • Teodora Bunkova – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Alexandra Dimcheva – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Nikol Bakalova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

Finalists

  1. Antoniya Rusalieva – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad    Antoniya Rusalieva – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

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

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

  4. Alex Todorov – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad    Alex Todorov – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  5. Tanya Serdarova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad    Tanya Serdarova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  6. Mariya Boyanova  – Simeon Radev FLHS , Pernik    Mariya Boyanova  – Simeon Radev FLHS , Pernik

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

Semifinalists

  • Radostina Bikova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Slavena Medova – Ivan Vazov Langauge School , Smolyan

  • Vanesa Velkova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Boyana Chopeva – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Zhanet Velkova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Valeria Berkova – Ivan Vazov Langauge School , Smolyan

Finalists

  1. Dariya Dimitrova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  2. Gergana Lilova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  3. Berfin Yusein – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

  4. Dimitrina Popova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  5. Mila Vladimirova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  6. Antoniya Kamenova – Tsar Simeon Veliki SS Vidin

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Martin Peev – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Sabel Basheva – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Kristiana Hristova – 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  • Krasimira Krastilova – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Nikol Bakalova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  • Desislava Kostova – Nikola Vaptsarov Secondary School, Petrich

  • Yoan Hristov – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

  • Tanya Serdarova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Erik Bilyarov – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Eli Dimitrova – 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

  • Kristiyana Urumova – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

  • Vesela Georgieva  – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

Semifinalists

  • Ani Filipova – Foreign Language School, Pleven

  • Eva Ivanova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  • Liyana Krasimirova – Yordan Radichkov FLS, Vidin

  • Maya Peeva – Second English Language School , Sofia

  • Alexandra Markova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  • Hristina Tsonkova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

Finalists

  1. Ani Popova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  2. Radina Terziyska – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  3. Mikaela Dundalova – FLS Prof Dr Assen Zlatarov, Haskovo

  4. Nia Daskalova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  5. Alexandrina Andonova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  6. Petya Kotsalova – Peyo Yavorov High School, Petrich

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

Semifinalists

  • Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin – Antoniya Kamenova

  • Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad – Dimitrina Popova

  • Ivan Vazov Langauge School , Smolyan – Yana Shopova

  • Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad – Elena Gelova

  • Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech – Victoria Veselinova

  • Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech – Iva Alexieva

Finalists

  1. Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin – Valeria Angelova

  2. FLS Prof Dr Assen Zlatarov, Haskovo – Tereza Simeonova

  3. Ivan Vazov Langauge School , Smolyan – Slavena Medova

  4. Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech – Neda Miteva

  5. Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana – Rozaliya Markova

  6. Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad – Yoan Hristov

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

Quarterfinalists

  • Daniel Shterev – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

  • Dimitar Harizanov – Professional High School of Economics and Tourism “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”, Petrich

  • Simona Haltakova – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

  • Mihaela Shtregarska – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Reneta Yakimova – Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets

  • Deniz Danklife – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

  • Iliyana Ilieva – Foreign Language School, Pleven

  • Martin Nikolaev – Tsar Simeon Veliki SS, Vidin

  • Kalina Krastilova – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Stela Trencheva – Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad

  • Petya Balkanska – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

Semifinalists

  • Svilena Valkova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  • Monica Mitova – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  • Vyara Stoyanova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

  • Zlatina Tencheva – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

  • Maria Yanusheva – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  • Denitsa Petrova – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

Finalists

  1. Georgi Paparkov – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  2. Erik Bilyarov – PMG Yane Sandanski, Gotse Delchev

  3. Alexandra Dimcheva – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  4. Alex Todorov – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  5. Mihaela Kafedzhiyska – Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad

  6. Jacqueline Kolentsova – Hristo Botev, Kardzhali

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

Semifinalists

  • Zlatitsa High School, Zlatitsa – Zhaklin Vasileva  and Niya Todorova

  • Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech – Tsveta Hristova and Dariya Dimitrova

  • Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana – Viktoriya Krasimirova  and Alexandra Spasova

  • 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia – Julia Ivanova and Mario Bogdanov

  • Second English Language School, Sofia – Alex Slavcheva  and Radina Beleva

  • Lyudmil Stoyanov FLHS, Blagoevgrad – Mihaela Smilkova and Radostina Bikova

  • Aleko Konstantinov FLHS, Pravets – Denitsa Goranova  and Milena Karatigina

Finalists

  1. Vasil Tilev  and Gergana Lilova – Second English Language School , Sofia

  2. Boyana Savova  and Ralitsa Nedelcheva – Second English Language School , Sofia

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

  4. Ilizabet Arnautska  and Gabriela Kostova – Akad. S. Korolyov Maths and Science High School, Blagoevgrad

  5. Rozaliya Markova  and Christiyan Mariov  – Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  6. Martina Naidenova and Vanessa Milen  – Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana

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

Semifinalists

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

  • Second Enligsh Language School, Sofia – Alexandra Markova and Maya Peeva

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

  • Second Enligsh Language School, Sofia – Boyana Alexandrova  and Lora Vasileva

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

  • Second Enligsh Language School, Sofia – Yoana Filipova  and Mariya Bambalova

Finalists

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

  2. Rafael Bijev  and Petko Stoychev – Ekzarh Yosif FLHS, Lovech

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

  4. Rosen Kinev  and Mariya Boycheva  – Yordan Radichkov FLS, Vidin

  5. Kristiana Doncheva  and Lora Genova – Peter Bogdan FLHS, Montana

  6. Doroteya Piralkova and Mihail Karov  – 51 Elisaveta Bagryana School, Sofia

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

Finalists

  1. Ellie Vitanova, Victoria Papazova  and Daria Tsaneva – American College of Sofia, Sofia

  2. Simona Yordanova, Boris Beev  and Ivo Yordanov – American College of Sofia, Sofia

 

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

Finalists

  1. Nikola Michaylov, Kristiya Navushtanova and Zachary Nikolaev  – American College of Sofia, Sofia

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

BEST Foundation