20 Years of Impact

For Dr. Svilen Spasov, ACS is more than a school – it’s where his daughters, Teodora and Darina, found their voice, their confidence, and their future. Over the past 20 years, he has changed lives through the Teodora and Darina Spasov Scholarship, giving bright students a chance to thrive at ACS, just as his own children did. In this deeply personal message to the ACS community in celebration of the Commencement Ceremony of the Class of 2025, Dr. Spasov shares his reflections on the power of education, the courage to dream, and the importance of giving back. His story is a reminder that one family’s generosity can open doors for many - and that all of us can be part of something lasting and meaningful.

“At the beginning of the 21st century, my two daughters Teodora and Darina, one after the other, set off for our new cultural educational space - American College Sofia. They grew up here, gained knowledge and social experience. And our windows were lit until late at night.

They entered a system that sought to teach them to monitor, understand and even, as much as possible, to anticipate processes. This, at least for me, was an important feature. Because ACS is not just a school. ACS is an institution that develops the diversity of students' skills.

School leaders and teachers taught and created habits and values. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, ACS attracted teachers from the USA and other countries on a long-term basis. Together with their Bulgarian colleagues, they created this unique and successful school. ACS graduates received recognition from dozens of first-class universities and colleges around the world. They made a breakthrough that others followed. This was perhaps the most important thing – a cultural breakthrough was achieved, so necessary for Bulgarian young talents. This raised the country's prestige. We were becoming citizens of the world.

I wish the President of ACS to continue this quality selection of teachers and to have the strong support of the Bulgarian society, the US ambassador and the diplomatic corps in Sofia.

Parents and ACS graduates should not forget that after them come new talents who need their support. It is not difficult. I have been doing it for 20 years. Eight students were supported in this period as chosen by the school. I was glad to meet them at graduation. They are all wonderful and already successful. Thank you!

These days I signed the scholarship contract for the next 5 years. Teodora and Darina Spasovi will continue this legacy. You can do it too.

To the graduates, I wish to continue overcoming the “Ignorance is strength” – to quote George Orwell’s 1984. You will meet the “Ignorance” in your life. But you are capable, talented and ambitious young people who can bring the atmosphere, environment, manners and knowledge acquired at The American College of Sofia to your work places and companies.

In Bulgaria, we often give up at the first failure, we blame others, and are labeled failures. Don’t give up. Dust yourself off and try again, change a plan or subject. Just don’t give up. I love my daughters’ reaction, when someone mentions a bright young person – “but of course, he/she is from the College.”

And don’t forget to live your dreams. The dreams of bright people often lead to success. As the Latins said: “Fortuna favet fortibus” - fate favors the brave. 

Then, the College will have accomplished its task.

Congratulations class 2025!”