Hristo Botev School

Nova Zagora Teen Spirit

AN INTERVIEW WITH ENGLISH TEACHER VIOLETA SABEVA

1. Were you nervous when you started teaching at this school?

- Yes, I was. I had studied at this school and most of my colleagues had been my teachers.

2. Do you think that students

nowadays are better at English than in the past?

- There are some students who are better than those in the past. But we were more hard-working, responsible and ambitious.

3. Who has had the most powerful

influence on your life? - The most powerful influence in my

knowledge and career has had my English

teacher - Mrs. Encheva and my colleagues. My family has also changed my private life a lot.

4. When you were our age, what was

your favourite subject? (besides English) - My favourite subjects were French,

Biology and Physical Education. 5. How can you describe the perfect

class/ lesson? - My perfect class is students who are

really interested in English. They know why they are at school and how to make the school a better place for everyone.

6. What were your dreams when you

were our age? - My dream was to become a tour guide

and travel around the world. 7. Do you want to be at school as a

student again? - Yes, of course. Now I can say that

school-time is the best. 8. What is the funniest happening,

which you remember from your school years?

- I don’t remember the funniest happening, because my classmates were very creative and every day we had a wonderful time.

On May 23rd 2012 the ex-

students from the first English class had a class reunion, celebrating 15 years from their graduation from Hristo Botev School.

„I HAVE A DREAM” The time of high school graduation

is so memorable. No way of forgetting the sigh of relief, the burst of energy, the endless expectations. Remember facing

that moment: mixed feelings – pride and sense of accomplishment for all that you have achieved, apprehension as you stand on the brink of a new chapter of life. Then, having set your goals, you make your big entrance into the future. Emotions of college admissions, new places, new people, fresh new start... challenging, exciting, waiting to be embraced.

So did I. And all that passed, in a blink of an eye... Job opportunities were already there, at my doorstep. I felt like an unstoppable hero that possessed super powers. I was taking or dropping chances like a kid with a toy. But did one thing for certain: did not let my dream go out of my sight and believed in it. Travelling.

It took one phone call, a solid bag of nerves and 3 packs of chewing gum to make it happen: get my job on board of a cruise ship. I grabbed the offer without hesitance. Passed interviews and stood proud amongst some stuttering candidates. Felt empowered, knowing that I will set foot in places I have only heard and read of.

And I did... how little did I know though about the life at sea?! I remember standing in front of the gangway of my first ship at the port of Piraeus (Greece) with my future colleagues, wowing and joking about our future adventures. Till the moment I entered the ship under the suspicious look of the gangway security, dragging my suitcase (which actually contained all I might need in 8 months) all alone, through steep staircases and small corridors. At every corner I bumped into an awkward looking crewmember, the nationality of which I started soon to recognize. Some enjoying time of leisure, rushing for work or going to grab a meal. Daily safety and job trainings, ship familiarization and „one to one” quality time with my manager followed on a regular basis. Tailored uniforms unified the people by department. Then we were ready to face our guests. And were they not lovely? Well, as lovely as a somewhat group of 2000 people can be, all with their own

requests and expectations that we had to meet.

The reward did not come late... places to visit, a new one every single day. Pay check twice a month. Ladies and Gentlemen, I was paid to travel the world!

I can’t recall how many times I have walked (well, actually ran) that gangway to go ashore, sleepless and hungry after a long shift. How couldn’t I? Knowing I am about to see the Pope at the Vatican, eat a souvlaki in Santorini, sip coffee by the Tower of Pisa, have a beer in the middle of the day, watching Grand Prix in Monaco or sunbathing on the pink sands of Bermuda... How many times did I hold my breath seeing the Empire State building or Times Square in New York, the Statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro or the New Year fireworks at Copacabana bay, touching the walls of the Colosseum, or before making a wish by the Trevi Fountain in Rome? How I laughed, helplessly trying to explain I want a Big Mac with no onions in Turkey or clarify the directions on a taxi ride in Morocco, to a person who speaks no English?

I remember every moment with so much affection, like I have walked out of a movie, a dream, a play. However much better than that, I know I have lived that in real life... just because I believed I can.

And yet I know for everyone of us... there are always new beginnings, new journeys and definitely new challenges to explore!

Believe in yourself to the depths of your being. You have the ability, you have the skills, you have the education and you have the opportunities. But all of this alone is not enough. You have to know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you have got what it takes to make a success of your life.

Believe always in the talents that you have nurtured over the years and continue to nurture them. There is no room for apathy. Now is not the time to sit back and relax. You must continually strive to extend yourself even further - little by little every day, every week, every month and every year.

If you are able to do this... if you are able to believe ... then your spirit is free to grow beyond the restraints that your mind may create. Ultimately your success will become a reality - something tangible and achievable.

I still strive to do so. Why? Because I have a dream, another one.

By Galina Georgieva

20TH ANNIVERSARY ENGLISH CLASS

The students from the 20th English class – 8 A presented a film project on 27 April at Minko Balkanski Theatre. The documentary showed the long way from the very start of the specialised class to present. Mrs Nikolina Encheva shared with the audience the challenges she faced at the beginning, how rewarding it is too see her students succeed in life and fulfil their dreams. The film featured former English class students that have benefited from the knowledge they gained while studying at Hristo Botev Secondary School: Stanislav Stoyanov – an IT developer, currently living in Finland, Nina Draganova – an

Applied Linguistics MA, specialised in Japan and living in Denmark, Svilena Encheva – currently studying in China with a full scholarship, Kristina Koleva – known to the public from X-factor and Bulgaria’s Got a Talent. The students from 8A presented a typical day of their life and pointed out the differences between an ordinary and an English class. They also entertained the audience with a live performance of three well known songs in English – It’s My Life, Wonderful Tonight and Far Away. In the second part of the documentary students from 9A, 10A, 11A and 12A talked about the experience they gained, the difficulties they faced and the fun they had, while in an English class. The editorial team of Teen Spirit presented a brief history of the newspaper. Finally the youngest – Deni and Alex from 7th grade shared why they would choose to study English at Hristo Botev Secondary School.

Stela Stefanova, class teacher of 8a

It’s sUMMER tIME! The Sun is shining and the people are smiling! Summer is here! It is time for parties, relaxation, new clothes and sunglasses! Are you ready? What you should wear This year top trends for girls are – fresh and neon colors,

dresses, platform shoes and cat-eye sunglasses. There is a list of things that you must have this summer!

1, Platform shoes and a clutch in neon color 2. Swimsuit! One-piece, two-pieces it doesn’t matter! It should be in fresh colors 3. Cat-eye sunglasses are very trendy right now

4. Ethereal short dress or skirt

Are you reAdy for Summer 2012 ? Where you should go It doesn’t matter if you want to party or just relax near the sea. The Black sea offers you quietness and much fun too. Here is

a list of the best resorts in our country. The choice is yours!

1. Golden sands is famous for its nice golden sand and long beaches. The Black Sea beaches are covered with clear crystal sands. Because of its natural beauty it has become famous international resort area.

2. Sunny Beach is the biggest and most popular holiday resort in Bulgaria, and is home to over 800 hotels. There are also 130 restaurants and numerous live music bars, pubs, nightclubs, discos, cafes. It is famous for the night life there and the luxurious hotels. 3. Albena is one of the most beautiful resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and has a unique architectural style. Many hotels are situated on the beach itself. Albena guarantees you full rest and relaxation.

Student’s Workshop

Story Steve turned his back on them

and walked slowly into the house. He was feeling very nervous, because he had never done cliff diving in his life. His friends were waiting for him outside and he had to get his car keys. Steve thought that cliff diving was a really stupid and reckless thing to do but he already accepted that challenge. After all he was really bored and he wanted some rush - and rush was the thing that every adventurous person needed. However jumping from 20 meters seemed too risky to Steve.

He got his swimming suit and his keys and went out to meet his friends. They encouraged him and told him that it wasn't dangerous - they'd all tried cliff diving and according to them, it wasn't scary. While driving to the shore Steve thought about what might happen if he hit a rock. He tried to focus on the driving but he couldn't help worrying about this new adventure.

Finally, they reached the shore. When Steve saw the cliff he felt as if he had butterflies in his stomach. "It is now or never" he thought as he got out of the car and started walking slowly to the big rock from where he would jump. His three friends encouraged him again and Steve felt better. He was standing on the edge of the cliff and he looked down. The waves weren't big but it looked too high from here.

He took a deep breath and took a few steps back and then he ran forward and jumped off the cliff. He was flying and then he broke the surface of the water. The ocean was colder than he expected but he felt relieved. He did it! As Steve swam back to the shore where his friends were, cheering him he felt so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. That was one of the best days of his life.

Ivan Kostadinov 10a

A friend in need is a friend indeed

The sun was shining, there was a gentle breeze and a flock of sparrows was tweeting merrily. Mischievous kids were giggling and playing around.

A good-looking teenage boy called Steve was sitting on the porch filled with hope about his forthcoming examination. He was waiting for his friends to come and take him to the school. 10 minutes passed – he felt nervous and his foot started tapping frantically then another 15 minutes passed and he was already pacing up and down but nobody appeared.

Eventually, he stood up and called a taxi. Steve was wondering what had happened while he was travelling. When he finally arrived, he rushed towards the building. Unfortunately, he was informed he could not sit the exam because he was 45 minutes late.

After a while, he was strolling along, the streets aimlessly when a car stopped and a familiar voice shouted: “Hey, Steve get in!” These were his friends talking enthusiastically about the movie they had just seen. Suddenly, they noticed Steve was silent and asked him if he had taken the exam. As soon as they said this, it occurred to them that they had had an arrangement to give him a ride. He felt betrayed and simply told them: “You’re unreliable.”

Steve turned his back on them and walked slowly into the house.

By Hristina Bankova 10a

Fatal dream in a love story

I had never felt so nervous in my

life, but I knew that I had to do it. As soon as I opened the door, I knew something was wrong. Because of the fact I was a successful businessman, I had to think over how to win my new project, or to release the new magazine, but the only thing for which I was thinking about was my love- Jenny. I was trying to persuade myself that she is the same girl who is prettier than the others, trying to stop thinking about her all the time, but without any success.

This time it was different. The call, which I received from the hospital, scared me a lot. I thought that something might have happened to her, after the night which we had spent

together. Something fatal, after the big quarrel, which we had had. The only thought in my head was that she might be dead, or really badly injured.

I reached the hospital and broke into it like a burglar. I was running so fast along the corridors that all the doctors thought I was a patient, who had just run from the psychiatric ward. When I had finally found her room, I saw her lying in the bed with closed eyes. I thought,”She is dead”. With tears in my eyes, I came in the room, and then… woke up in my bed. I was so happy it was just a dream that the tears of sadness were exchanged with those of happiness. On the next day, when I saw her, I apologized for my behaviour on our last date and of course, like a movie scene of happy endings, she forgave me.

By Stanimir Grozev 10a

The newspaper was made by:

Kameliya Malakova Stanimir Grozev Lachezar Serdarski Mariq Stoqnova