ACS Alumni Magazine
Celebrating ACS Graduates, Staying Connected
First published in June 2009, this annual summer edition celebrates the inspiring journeys of our alumni and often features stories from students and faculty as well. We welcome your feedback and ideas of stories that need to be told — reach out to Gergana Yaneva '10 at g.yaneva@acsbg.org
Alumni Magazine Issue 26
In this issue, you’ll find a heartfelt tribute to Ani Ivanova (1968-2024), a beloved ACS math teacher who shaped and uplifted countless lives in her 30-year legacy. We celebrate the remarkable journeys of alumni Rali Chorbadzhiyska ’15 and Ani Kodjabasheva ’08, and introduce fresh faces of the future, Kaloyan Dimitrov and Nikoleta Stoynova, both of the Class of 2025, whose passion and vision shine brightly. You’ll also read about Dr. Krasimira Chakarova, ACS Physics teacher for over three decades and a legend, and learn about The Science LAB fundraising campaign showcasing alumni breakthroughs in medicine, cosmology, and more — testaments to the extraordinary power of an ACS education and the strength of our vibrant community. Dive in to discover stories that honor the past, celebrate the present, and ignite hope for the future.
Alumni Magazine Issue 25
July, 2024 - In this issue you will find inspiring stories featuring ACS alumni, including renewable energy engineer Stoyan Trenchev, Class of 2016, and ACS scholarship founder Daniella Molle, Clas of 1997, who are making waves around the world. In addition, you will find a touching story about a College alumnus from long ago, Leo Levieff, Class of 1943, and last but not least, as well as an insightful interview with distinguished ACS Bulgarian language and literature teacher Dr. Teodora Todorova.
Alumni Magazine Issue 24
July, 2023 - In this issue, we share with you Dr. Roger Whitaker’s 30th Anniversary remarks, as shared with the Class of 2023 at their Commencement Ceremony. Instrumental to the reopening in 1992, he is without a doubt the best person to tell that impressive story. We offer you also the moving story of Mary Chakalova, Class of 1931, as brought to light and generously shared with us by her devoted, history-loving son Georgi Shopov. We are glad to provide a closer insight into the personalities of two of the ACS sports teachers: Stefka Papazova, who leads the Sports Department and has been teaching at the College since 1992, and former Volleyball Team GB representative Mark McGivern from Scotland, who has been at the College since 2021. Come for the history, stay for the sports - enjoy!
Alumni Magazine Issue 23
June, 2022 - This issue features the story of Mircho Guev ’35 and the importance of education in fighting for human rights, insights by recent alumnae sisters Ana and Gergana Peykovi ’20, the first class to graduate in Covid times, and a lively conversation with Dr. Dimitar Dimov '11 busy with his mission to modernize and advocate for change in the construction industry. You will also meet long-standing ACS star teacher and historian Dr. Zornitsa Semkova.
Alumni Magazine Issue 22
December, 2019 - Issue 22 features the story of Lily Klyavkova ’39 and what life after the College used to be for her, insights by recent alum Taniel Gulian ’19 and reflections from Lilia Vazova of the ACS Class of 2002. You will also learn about what it’s like to be a long-standing teacher at ACS from ESL Department Chair and teacher Ms. Roumyana Ivanova.
Alumni Magazine Issue 21
June, 2019 - In this issue, we are reading about life after the College and the exciting projects of Tsvetan Iliev ’06, memories from the pre-war years by Sava Savchev ’44, and reflections on what ACS is like today from Joana Nikolova, who recently joined the alumni community with the Class of 2019. We are revisiting their Commencement ceremony with Class of 2006 alumna Dena Popova’s address. We are remembering Birgitta Cattelle together and we are, indirectly, attending the huge ACS wedding of Krasi Tomov ’05 and Julia Masleva-Tomova ’06. We find out what Kosta Karakashyan ’14 and Lora Beltcheva ’15 have been up to, as well as where former ACS English teacher Isabel Norwood is nowadays.
Alumni Magazine Issue 20
December, 2018 - This issue features interviews with pre-war alumna Tsvetana Beleva ’42, beloved Physics teacher Vanya Angelova, and inspiring student turned alumnus over summer Vladimir Gospodinov ’18, as well as the tale of our very own MakerSpace, at the foot of the renovated Ostrander Hall, and a very special class note by one of the coolest ACS former faculty members, Lindsay Moran
Alumni Magazine Issue 19
June, 2018 - This issue features stories on ACS trustees and fellow Harvard-Radcliffe alumnae Ann Ferren and Avis Bohlen, Class of 1944 American College alumnus and translator Nikolay Georgiev, alumna and trustee Theodora Konetsovska '97, and then senior maths star Ivan Ivanov '18.
Alumni Magazine Issue 15
June, 2016 - This issue features the stories of surviving war veteran and American College alumnus Dobrin Georgiev '43, Geography teacher and professional photographer Colin Boyd Shafer, Class of 2000 alumna Elena Stoycheva, busy preserving the beautiful culture and traditions of a depopulating village in the Rhodopes, and homework-defying hobby juggler Angel Kozlev of the Class of 2016.
Alumni Magazine Issue 14
December, 2015 - This issue features materials on recent graduates of the Class of 2016 Ivana Andreeva, Mihail Georgiev, and Tsveta Kamenova , who organized the first international FISSION Science Fair at ACS, ELL teacher Garrard Conley and his moving debut, memoir Boy Erased, and newly appointed ACS trustee, alumnus Nedko Kyuchukov '03.
Alumni Magazine Issue 13
June, 2015 - This issue features interviews with Nora Pencheva '05, leaving ACS President Dr. Paul K. Johnson and Mrs. Teresa Monicken, alumna Veronika Georgieva '98, Class of 2015 graduate Radosveta Gencheva, the valedictory address of Adelina Ivanova '15, as well as former ACS teacher Kalinde Webb's Harry Potter fanfiction piece The Clarissa Black Effect.
Alumni Magazine Issue 12
December, 2014 - This issue features interviews with award-winning ACSer Kosyo Karchev '15 and ACS and Harvard alumna architect Zhanina Boyadzhieva '06, a collection of memories on recently passed beloved teacher Stoyan Karadjov, former teacher Patty Anderson's recollections on life in Bulgaria and a material on The BEST Foundation, an English speech and debate organization based in Bulgaria and run by Fulbright Grantees, among them ACS teachers Michael Deegan and Hannah Allen.
Alumni Magazine Issue 11
June, 2014 - This issue features an update on the Campus Center renovation, an interview with former teacher and trustee Andrew Robarts, recent graduate of the Class of 2014 Vanessa Angelova's valedictory address, an interview with the seven ACS alumni at Teach for Bulgaria, a collection of memories of late alumnus Coll Perske ’03, and poetry by Alexandra Grashkina, Class of 2000.
Alumni Magazine Issue 10
December, 2013 - This issue features an interview with Christina K. Black, Dr. Floyd Black’s granddaughter, a peek inside pre-war ACS with Professor Nikola Alexiev of the Class of 1942, the sugar pine adventures of Maria Mircheva ’97, some Free-Sofia-Touring with Stefan Ognyanov ’04, and fond memories of late Mihail Ivanov ’05.
Alumni Magazine Issue 9
June, 2013 - This issue features Class of 1997 alumna Lisa Kostova Ogata’s interview with Professor Carl Djerassi who attended ACS in 1938 and 1939, as well as her riveting address to the graduating class of 2013 during Commencement. You will also find a reflection on the ACS teacher talent show Faculty Follies, Dean Magda Bucior's Senior Dinner remarks to the Class of 2013, and the valedictory address by Teodora Mihailova. We honor late beloved poet and translator Leda Mileva (1920 – 2013) of the Class of 1938 and Arek Hampartzumian (1925-2013) of the Class of 1944, and share a bit about the passion for heights of Professor Georgi Atanasov, Class of 1945. We top it all off with The Wonders and Wanders of Life after ACS, as told by Kalina Manova, Class of 1998.
Alumni Magazine Issue 8
December, 2012 - This issue features an insightful interview with Alice Zlatka Litov, Class of 1942 by Lisa Kostova Ogata, Class of 1997, an attempt at an overview of ACS alumni in the Arts, the bicycle diaries of ACS teacher Martyn Rowlands and the blissfoul recollections of former faculty member Monika Rzezniczek.
Alumni Magazine Issue 7
June, 2012 - This issue features the newest alumni on the ACS Board of Trustees , Theodora Konetsovska and Lisa Kostova Ogata, both members of the first graduating class since reopening the American College of Sofia, the Class of 1997, images of Asia as seen by Class of 2007 alumnus Yuri Boyanin, as well as founding ACS President Dr. Roger Whitaker and US diplomat Ms. Susan Sutton’s addresses to the Class of 2012.