Education Bulgaria Project #48524

Empower Students through Leadership Training

by Bulgarian English Speech and Debate Tournaments Foundation

Empower Students through Leadership Training

Project Report | Nov 19, 2024
Over 50 nominated Student Leaders!

By Vanya Zlateva | Executive Director

Every year, we witness the inspiring growth of our Student Leaders. As you know the BEST coaches nominate the new Student Leaders for their outstanding leadership, encouragement, and commitment to their team. The program trains Bulgarian high school students participating in BEST to be team leaders, mentors to younger students, and active servants in their home communities.

To run the program and to widen the SL community we need support.

On 29^th of September 2024 for the fifth time was held online our traditional fundraising event Summer Slam. The show presented a sample of what our amazing students perform at the BEST Tournaments. It was streamed live on our Facebook and YouTube pages. The event was free, but we kindly asked that participants vote for their favourite performance by donating through GlobalGiving. Thanks to your support, the Summer Slam showcase managed to fundraise 1457.00 $, which ensured that we could continue to run our Student Leader training seminar in person at the beginning of October.

From 4 to 6 of October 42 (from 52 nominated) bright, dedicated and passionate leaders from 27 schools across 23 towns participated in person in our Student Leader training. Those who couldn’t attend in person connected through online training with our SL Coordinator and Intern.

During the weekend our Student Leaders delved deep into their responsibilities, explored the Program Schedule for the school year—including the Fall Tournament mini-project, the Mid-Year Conference Call in January/February, and the Spring Tournament mini-project—while also discussing the invaluable Community Projects and the culminating Student Leader Wrap-Up Seminar in May. They began to envision how they could lead their teams effectively and learned the requirements for graduating from the program and earning their certificates. Most importantly, they formed connections with the BEST Management team and fellow SLs.

Central to our training were the Community Projects, which unfolded through a series of engaging activities. In the first session, students were divided into teams of six, tasked with crafting their own Community Project Proposals. Each team was paired with a mentor who provided guidance, evaluating the feasibility of their ideas while encouraging them to brainstorm independently. The atmosphere was charged with questions, ideas, and constructive feedback, all aimed at refining their Community Projects and ensuring their success.

This training weekend was not just about learning; it was about forging bonds, igniting passion, and empowering our future leaders to make a lasting impact in their communities.

The SLs had the opportunity to meet a couple of amazing lecturers:

Desislava Taseva, SL Coordinator and Vyara Bagryanova, SL Intern unfolded the SL program like a vibrant tapestry, weaving together the yearly schedule, the myriad responsibilities, and the pivotal role of the Student Leaders throughout the year, especially as tournaments approached.
Reni Mitkova, the inspiring CEO of EOS Matrix Group Bulgaria and host of the enlightening podcast “Our Money,” captivated everyone with her presentation titled “Plan Your Freedom: Mastering Life and Money”. She addressed vital issues surrounding financial literacy, resonating deeply with the students as she shared practical wisdom on crafting and adhering to a monthly budget, and wise strategies for managing savings.
Dilyana Kulova and Filip Manov, dedicated Admissions Counsellors & Recruiters at AUBG illuminated the diverse programs, grants, and international experiences available at AUBG. The excitement continued with a campus tour, where students had the rare chance to chat with the President of AUBG Dr. Margee Ensign.
Samuil Mladenov, Data Science Intern at PWC Bulgaria and an advocate for the BEST initiative, delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled “Telling Stories with Data: A Tool for Leadership and Community Impact.”
Stefani Strezova and Viktor Zhelyazov, the Student Leaders from the 51st School in Sofia, showcased their inspiring Community Project, “Define Nature.” Their presentation served as a beacon of inspiration, offering valuable insights into what makes a Community Project truly successful, igniting the imaginations of their peers.

During the weekend despite the busy schedule, the SLs managed not only to participate in the training and in the development of the CP, but also to get to know each other, make new friendships, that will continue during the tournaments and throughout the school year.

The Student Leaders returned to their hometowns brimming with energy, newfound knowledge, and fresh ideas for their community projects, willing to put them into action. In the coming months, we will eagerly await the first results of their work. We are happy to share with you the below pictures from our events.

Dear friends,

We are deeply grateful for your incredible support! The success of our work would not be possible without you.

We would truly appreciate it if you could share our GlobalGiving link with your friends and consider supporting us with a monthly donation. As we continue to grow, we need your help more than ever!

Your contributions have a meaningful impact on the lives of every student who participates in our Leadership Program, and we are so thankful to count you as one of our angels.

We thank you again for all your support and wish you a warm holiday season!

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Jul 17, 2024
Student Leaders program is growing significantly

By Vanya Zlateva | Executive Director

The Student leader program always brings together incredible BEST performers and leaders. To be nominated to participate in the program all students have shown significant leadership skills, supporting their BEST teams and their coach with all the activities related to the tournament participation - from documents preparation, through regular team trainings, to logistics and BEST team motivation.The SL Program’s goal is to engage dedicated competitors deeper into BEST’s community and simultaneously, make them an active part of their own. This year, we have successfully created yet another SL Family of supportive and empowering young leaders.

On 11th and 12th of May we held the SL Wrap up seminar in Hotel Shipka. 34 students attended in person and 9 joined online.

Achievements:

26 teams that began the program created and presented their Community Projects, with 4 teams more than the last year!
The SL program has grown with 10 students compared to last year.

We started the program with 46 students and 96% graduated from the program leaving us with 44 graduating Student Leaders.

During the SL wrap up weekend all teams present the hard work they have done throughout the semester creating and implementing their community projects.

Their community projects covered a wide variety of topics such as: ecological project, creation of informational signs for flowers in Sofia’s park, stray animals care project, projects which support elderly people and children, concerts with cause, and many more.

The Student Leader Coordinators led the closing seminar and as usual several BEST Foundation management team members acted like judges. Student leaders presented their projects in the format of power points or video presentations followed by a five minute Q&A session.

We had an inspiring motivational speaker - Mr Hristo Popov - a successful entrepreneur and founder of the company Fast Track, who led a Q & A session with the students again just like he did at the SL training at the beginning of the year. Questions about what success is, are the mistakes in the process of project planning healthy, and how to overcome ad hoc situations were discussed.

The Student Leaders from FLHS "Yordan Radichkov", Vidin- M. K. and A. B. were awarded the student leaders of the year award for successfully leading their teams and creating a wonderful team spirit, as well as submitting everything on time.

The Community Project of the Year award was presented to two teams - 51st "Elisaveta Bagryana" Secondary School, Sofia and FLHS "Hristo Botev", Kardzhali. The team of 51st School organised a project that focuses on the flora in one of the parks in their hometown. On the other hand, the team of Kardzhali organised a project that focuses on charity for children with disabilities throughout the Christmas holidays.

Plans have started for the initiation of the new program, and 52 new students have been nominated to join the program with the initial training which happens in September. That is 8 more students than the previous year! The Student leader’s community is growing and a super talented cohort of inspiring individuals are ready to support their BEST teams and local communities!

Dear Friends, this program would not be possible wihout all of you and our supporters from America for Bulgaria Foundation.

Thank you all for your support! We would not be able to run the amazing Student Leader program without you!

Since our SL program is continuously growing, every little help would be greatly appreciated!

Please, share our GlobalGiving link with your friends and continue your support with monthly donations!

Your support leads to a significant change in the life of each and every student that participates in our Student Leader program and we are super grateful to have you as our angel!

Thank you all for your support!

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Mar 20, 2024
Community projects with valuable causes

By Vanya Zlateva | Executive Director

After the successful SL opening weekend in October 2023 Student leaders participated in regular online meetings with their SL coordinators - Emona T. and Desislava T. and sent via email their Project proposals in the middle of December. They received guidance on issues that arose and brainstormed options for solving them. Totally this academic year we have 45 Student Leaders which are from 27 schools all over Bulgaria and presented ideas for 27 Community projects.

As always, while preparing and organising their Community projects, Student Leaders also support their BEST teams in their schools. They work as BEST ambassadors attracting more new participants in BEST tournaments and supporting their English Coaches. SLs also participate in the BEST clubs weekly meetings in their schools and help their schoolmates to choose, prepare and perform their pieces for the tournaments. This academic year we had 4 Regional tournaments - two in November (Fall West and Fall East) and two in February (Spring West and Spring East) as planned. For each of them the Student leaders created posters for their school BEST clubs which were hung in the corridors of schools and were an attraction and entertainment for all participants during all the tournaments. Student leaders are always the super power that creates a team spirit and provides a sense of community, enthusiasm and motivation.

At the opening ceremonies of all the tournaments we provide the stage for a short performance to the Student Leaders in the host school or Student Leaders from the nearest city. This year they performed some creative and fun speeches which were highly enjoyed by all participants.

First place at the International Debate Tournament Writopia in January - two Student Leaders in the winning Team!

We are super proud to announce that this year we managed to present BEST at the International Debate Tournament - Writopia, organised by the "Writopia Lab", "Debate Spaces" "Debate to Educate" on 27 and 28 January 2024. Two of the total four members of the team are part of our Student Leader program Martin D. from PMG “Yane Sandanski”, Gotse Delchev and Mihail I. from the National Gymnasium “Vasil Aprilov”, Gabrovo. Our participants showed mastery and strategic agility and defeated strong opponents from countries such as the UK, USA and South Africa. Although the team of the BEST Foundation had only two weeks to prepare for the ten challenging topics for debate, the participants not only coped with this challenge, but managed to….WIN FIRST PLACE!

Community Projects Progress…

At the moment Student Leaders are at the final stage of their community projects and the results will be presented during the SL Wrap Up Seminar in Sofia in the middle of May.

For the most curious of you, here are some of the projects which will be presented and will be competing for the Awards which we have prepared:

Team Dupnitsa- Project related to the awareness about the disappearance of the bees and the disappearance of beekeeping;

Team Pernik- Project related to creating an enjoyable school environment for both teachers and students;

Second English Language School, Sofia - Project related to educating students on non-formal educational topics such as healthy eating, financial literacy and overall life skills;

Team Kyustendil - Project related to increasing motivation among students by promoting different types of extracurricular activities;

Team Pravets - Assisting busy adults with childcare;

Team Montana - Promotion of the available extracurricular activities for young people in Montana;

Team Vidin - Raising awareness about the importance of water conservation;

and many more…

Wrap Up Seminar coming soon..

The semester will end with the Wrap Up Seminar which will be held in hotel Shipka, Sofia, on the 11 and 12th May. This is the time when Student Leaders will present their Community Projects. The project results will be discussed and Management Team members will provide them with valuable feedback and assess the quality of the projects.

All of the teams were working very hard and showed a high level of commitment to their local community during the Spring semester.

We can not wait for the amazing Project presentations and videos in the Middle of May!

Dear Friends, thank you all for your support! We would not be able to run the amazing Student Leader program without you!

We would be very grateful if you could share our GlobalGiving link with your friends and continue your support with monthly donations!

Your support leads to a significant change in the life of each and every student that participates in our Student Leader program and we are super grateful to have you as our angel!

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