THE SHORT STORY: My three 10th graders overcame tremendous odds, becoming the ONLY team from Bulgaria to qualify for the global round of the World Scholar's Cup, a prestigious English-language competition that tests students' skills across a variety of academic subjects. It will be held in Dubai, UAE from June 20-23. However, a few days ago, our sponsor dropped out, leaving us - with less than 3 weeks to the competition - a $6000 USD bill for airfare, hotel, visas, and registration fees that I (a teacher) and my students' families can't pay off on our own.

By donating, you will help my students reach their dreams: to counteract negative stereotypes about Bulgaria, show the world that "Bulgarian youth CAN do something positive," and who knows? Maybe even win. You will also help inspire a whole generation of Bulgarian youth who hear my students' story to choose perseverance instead of simply giving up.

For more information on the World Scholar's Cup competition, please go to this website: http://new.scholarscup.org/
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THE LONG STORY: On March 14, 2013, my three Bulgarian high school students and I traveled to Prague, Czech Republic for the World Scholar's Cup Regional Round. Although my students had been preparing since November 2012, it was only at the last minute that our school and 2 other generous sponsors were able to scrap together enough money for the competition. This was the opportunity of a lifetime for my students.

It was a weekend of many firsts: the first time my students traveled outside of Bulgaria; traveled by plane; rode on the metro; met students who were not from Bulgaria; debated other students; and spent a whole weekend speaking in English. It was the first time that they, kids from a Bulgarian public high school in a small mountain city, went up against students from international private schools that had access to more resources in one month than my students had in their entire lives.

But they succeeded. That weekend, my students became the only students from all of Bulgaria to qualify for a berth in the World Scholar's Cup Global Round, which will be held in Dubai, UAE from June 20-23. In fact, we were even promised sponsorship, and we focused on preparing for the competition.

However, just a few days ago, we learned that the sponsor dropped out. We now have a bill adding up to 9000 leva (approximately $6000 USD, or 4500 Euros) that we need to find a way to pay off. Although we will all give what we can, this amount is too much for me alone to pay, or for my students' families to pay (the average Bulgarian salary is 400 leva - that's about 200 Euros or about $270 USD - per month).

Through the World Scholar's Cup program, the students have learned so much; developed public speaking, argumentation, writing, and critical thinking skills; gained self-confidence; and most importantly, have begun to recognize that they should never settle for less just because some obstacles stand in their path. These 3 ladies will be among some of the future leaders and change-makers in Bulgaria, and perhaps even the world. By investing in them, we invest in our future. In fact, this is why I, an American, have chosen to teach at my Bulgarian high school for one more year: my students are worth it. Will you stand with me in supporting our youth?