Two Eastview High School debate coaches are being recognized for their leadership and impact on students, earning prestigious honors at the state and section levels for speech and debate education.

Greta Thomas has been named the 2026 Minnesota Debate Association Coach of the Year. Thomas serves as co-head coach of the Eastview High School Debate Team, where she leads the Classic and Public Forum debate divisions.

Under her leadership, Eastview has earned back-to-back state championships in Classic Debate, with students advancing to elimination rounds at both state and national competitions. A 2012 Eastview High School graduate, Thomas began coaching in 2013 and became co-head coach in 2021, bringing both experience and a strong connection to the program’s history.

Eastview’s co-head coach, Zach Prax was also honored as the Section 5 national finalist for the NFHS Outstanding Educator of the Year Award for Speech and Debate — one of eight finalists for the national award. For more than two decades, he has demonstrated exceptional commitment to student growth, leadership, and excellence in speech and debate; he has played a key role in Eastview’s continued success. 

District 196 high schools are known for having powerhouse Speech and Debate teams— in Minnesota and nationally. In January 2026, 31 district students qualified for the state tournament, and 14 reached the final round.

“As a Speech and Debate coach, I truly believe there is no discussion about where the credit belongs when looking at the success of our programs,” Prax said. “It belongs to the students.”

Together, these honors reflect the strength of Eastview High School’s debate program and District 196’s commitment to academics, arts, and activities, providing students with infinite possibilities to develop critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.