Empower Students through Leadership Training

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!