BEST Regional Tournament at Goeth GLHS, Burgas – November 30th - December 1st

English Speech and Debate Tournament a Success at Goethe GLHS in Burgas

On November 30th to December 1st, the BEST Foundation hosted its 36th tournament, and its second tournament of the 2019-2020 school year. Nearly 300 high school students attended the English-language speech and debate competition at Goethe GLHS in Burgas. Twenty teams from 14 Bulgarian cities across the Eastern region of the country attended the tournament. Students competed in five events: Original Oratory, Duo Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, and World Schools Debate. The students attending the tournament showed extraordinary creativity, hard work, and talent. BEST is enormously proud to partner with these young people on their journey through English education and creative expression.

BEST is especially grateful to the US Embassy in Sofia for their financial support, without which, this tournament would not have been possible. BEST would also like to thank Angela Rodel, Iliana Dimitrova, and Rada Kaneva of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission for their endless support. They would also like to give a special thank you to Nadezhda Radeva-Ivanova, the director of Goethe GLHS, Vice Principal Petya Petrova, and all of the teachers and staff members for being the gracious hosts of this tournament and helping every step of the way. 

Below are the names of participating teams; you can view results on Speechwire, as well. Bear in mind that the Team Sweepstakes score does not reflect debate, since we tab debate on different software.

Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

Goethe German Language High School, Burgas

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Burgas

Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

Geo Milev Foreign Language High School , Dobrich

Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

Hristo Botev Foreign Language School, Kardzhali

Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

Baba Tonka High School of Mathematics, Rousse

Geo Milev English Language School, Rousse

Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

Nikola Vapzarov Foreign Language High School, Shumen

Peyo Yavorov Foreign Language High School, Silistra

Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

Yoan Ekzarh Fifth Language High School, Varna

First Language School, Varna

Vasil Karagyozov Language School, Yambol

AWARDS

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

Finalists

  1. Rafaela Petrova - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  2. Desislava Kyoseva - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  3. Ekaterina Dimcheva - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  4. Katherina Nankova - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  5. Sinem Hyusmen - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  6. Zhanina Topalova - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

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

Semifinalists

  • Rumen Galev - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Denimira Pantileeva - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Elitsa Vassileva - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  • Aylin Bekman - Hristo Botev Foreign Language School, Kardzhali

  • Tugay Selim - Hristo Botev Foreign Language School, Kardzhali

  • Maria Kyoseva - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

Finalists

  1. Momchil Dimitrov - Geo Milev Foreign Language High School, Dobrich

  2. Maria Ignatova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  3. Mariya Toneva - Hristo Botev Foreign Language School, Kardzhali

  4. Stefani Angelova - First Language School, Varna

  5. Teodora Stoycheva - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  6. Simona Manasieva - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

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

Semifinalists

  • Polina Decheva - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  • Alis Docheva - Peyo Yavorov Foreign Language High School, Silistra

  • Bojidara Mihaleva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  • Bogolyuba Georgieva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  • Savina Kaneva - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Bilyana Dimova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

Finalists

  1. Desislava Kyoseva - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  2. Maria Dimova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  3. Ralitsa Doynova - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  4. Yanislav Ivanov - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  5. Lilia Ilieva - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  6. Simeon Stoichev - Peyo Yavorov Foreign Language High School, Silistra

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

Semifinalists

  • Maria Angelova - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Eleonora Kolarova - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Teodora Stoycheva - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  • Valeria Germanova - Yoan Ekzarh High School of Foreign Languages, Varna

  • Denitsa Balcheva - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  • Anna-Maria Avramova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

Finalists

  1. Ivailo Kolev - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  2. Fiona Totten - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  3. Melisa Sali - Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  4. Nataliya Gancheva - Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

  5. Mila Petkova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  6. Simona Petkova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

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

Semifinalists

  • Omar Ahmed - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Danaya Krasimirova - Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  • Gabriella Daneva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  • Lachezara Milkova - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  • Mariyan Neykov - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  • Klimentina Kondakova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

Finalists

  1. Victoria Georgieva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  2. Stiliyan Petrov - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  3. Momchil Marchev - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  4. Ivena Yordanova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  5. Katherina Nankova - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  6. Daniel Christian Erwin de Gruil - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

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

Semifinalists

  • Ana-Maria Antonova - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Iliyan Stoychev - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

  • Ilia Iliev - Hristo Botev Foreign Language School, Kardzhali

  • Mladena Kalcheva -Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Maria Kyoseva - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Pavlina Valkova - Vasil Karagyozov Language School, Yambol

Finalists

  1. Elitsa Vassileva - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  2. Yoanna Yordanova - Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

  3. Zhenya Marcheva - Peyo Yavorov Foreign Language High School, Silistra

  4. Ivelin Subev - Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  5. Nicole Ivanova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  6. Valeria Germanova - Yoan Ekzarh High School of Foreign Languages, Varna

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

Semifinalists

  • Genadi Iliev and Nikola Angelov - Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

  • Neda Ivanova and Ekaterina Veselinova - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  • Kimberly Todorova and Hristiyana Raycheva - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  • Maria Dimova and Liya Mihalkova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  • Victoria Jecheva and Yoana Ivanova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  • Kalina Nikolova and Megan Tsoneva - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

Finalists

  1. Raya Demireva and Simona Ayvazova - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  2. Nada Jamal and Mariam Jamal - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  3. Iva Mladenova and Tereza Stoyanova - Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  4. Kristiana Kiranska and Beloslava Petkova - Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  5. Lilia Ilieva and Ivet Ivanova - Aprilov National High School, Gabrovo

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

Semifinalists

  • Nicole-Valeri Dimitrova and Nataliya Gancheva - Dr. Ivan Bogorov Foreign Language School, Dimitrovgrad

  • Esra Aylinova and Victoria Petrova - Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

  • Ina Zehireva and Katina Staleva - Goethe German Language High School, Burgas

  • Radi Radev and Boryana Penkova - Nikola Vapzarov Foreign Language High School, Shumen

  • Marin Kokosharov and Nikola Yankov - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  • Elena Ruseva and Ivanina Dzhamdzhieva - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

Finalists

  1. Margarita Taneva and Diana Dimitrova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  2. Maria Ilieva and Maria Hristova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

  3. Mila Petkova and Eva Dzhevizova - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  4. Vladimir Stoyanov and Ivan Ivanov - Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo

  5. Simeon Kirilov and Isa Bazerbashi - Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

  6. Ivayla Usheva and Boryana Simeonova - Romain Rolland Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora

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

Finalists

  1. Malena Malcheva, Rozali Terzieva and Yasen Zhekov - Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

  2. Raya Demireva, Renet Ruseva and Angelo Chizcuzzu - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

Sportsmanship Award

Malena Malcheva, Rozali Terzieva and Yasen Zhekov - Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

Top Speaker Award

Malena Malcheva - Geo Milev English Language High School, Burgas

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

Finalists

  1. Georgi Demirov, Biser Angelov and Asen Dotsinski - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

  2. Yoanna Mihova, Valeria Koleva and Teodor Minev - Goethe German Language High School, Burgas

Sportsmanship Award

Fatim Mustafova, Viktoria Petrova and Ivelin Subev - Ekzarh Yossif Foreign Language High School, Razgrad

Top Speaker Award

Asen Dotsinski - Dr. Peter Beron High School of Mathematics, Varna

TEAM AWARDS

Small School Division 

Nancho Popovich High School of Maths and Science, Shumen

Large School Division 

Zaharii Stoyanov English Language School, Sliven

BEST Foundation