ACS Students and Alumni Recognized at DofE International Award Ceremony

October 14, 2026 --- Fourteen students and alumni from the American College of Sofia were recognized at a ceremony celebrating recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, highlighting young people’s commitment to personal growth, service, and challenging themselves beyond their comfort zones.

The event brought together the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, in her capacity as patron of the Award, British Ambassador Nathaniel Copsey, ACS President Emily Sargent Beasley, and representatives of organizations dedicated to supporting young people in Bulgaria.

In her address, Emily Sargent Beasley congratulated the Award recipients on their achievements, emphasizing the value of developing new skills, volunteering, taking on physical challenges, and completing expeditions. These experiences, she noted, help young people discover their potential and learn to expect more of themselves.

Reflecting on the values at the heart of the Award, she reminded the audience that responsibility, commitment, and service are not simply ideals to admire, but values to put into practice. Drawing on a message she shared with last year’s graduating class, she encouraged the young people to “step from where you are standing,” adding an important reminder: “You are clearly not standing alone.”

The ceremony recognized the individual effort behind each Award while celebrating the families, mentors, leaders, and volunteers whose support makes these achievements possible.

Congratulations to ACS students and alumni Atanas Naydenov, Viktoria Dimitrova, Viktoria Marinova, Gabriela Petrova, Elena Kirova, Elitsa Ruseva, Irina Kovacheva, Magdalena Plugchieva, Marina Simeonova, Natalia Tchileva, Paola Paskova, Simona Krasteva, Stefani Lozanova, and Hristina Mehandova.

We also thank ACS volunteers Alexander Guenov, Konstantina Velcheva, Petar Komandarev, and Teodora Gabrovska for their contribution to the event.