We Are the League Feature Series: Meet Zach Prax

Editor's Note: Welcome to We Are the League, a feature series that recognizes the work, dedication and enthusiasm of individuals who are essential in making opportunities within the Minnesota State High School League a truly great experience for all. During this series, you will meet an incredible array of individuals, including student-participants, who will share their journeys through education-based activities. The League hopes you enjoy this recognition series.

My high school journey

• I entered ninth grade at Eastview High School without many connections. Growing up on military bases across the country had shaped who I was, but it also meant that Eastview was the 18th school (in five different states) that I had attended during my K–12 years. Once again, I found myself in a new place, trying to make friends and discover activities that would help me feel at home. On one of my first visits, my counselor handed me a list of education-based opportunities. One club immediately caught my eye: the “National Forensic League.” At the time, CSI was about to become a popular TV show and I thought my future career involved science.  My counselor gave me a room number and time for an informational meeting, and I made sure to be there. I was wrong. Within minutes of the meeting, I realized that “forensics” wasn’t about using science to solve crimes—it referred to speech and debate. There would be no fingerprint dusting or DNA analysis in my future; instead, I had accidentally walked into an informational meeting for the Eastview Debate Team. That mistake turned out to be one of the most impactful and positive accidents of my life. Debate, and eventually Speech, became the centerpiece of my high school experience. These activities helped me form friendships (many that continue to this day), gave me a true sense of belonging, and taught me skills that proved invaluable both inside and outside the classroom. Now, more than 25 years later, that “mistaken” meeting still shapes my life. Not only have I coached Speech and Debate for nearly a quarter century, but I’ve also had the privilege of doing it at the very place where my journey began as a teacher and coach at Eastview. 

Favorite high school memories

• Attending a wide variety of speech and debate tournaments was truly one of the highlights of my high school experience. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of climbing onto a cold bus on a winter morning in Minnesota, surrounded by teammates, and heading to a different tournament each Saturday. While most of our tournaments took place in the Twin Cities, some of my most vivid memories come from traveling beyond, competing in places like Mankato and Grand Rapids, or heading north for a summer team trip to Lutsen. I was also fortunate to compete at tournaments even farther away in Oklahoma City, Charlotte, and Atlanta during my high school career. Some of my favorite memories, however, came not from being a competitor, but from being a spectator. Watching classmates excel in athletics, theater, and countless other activities, meant that there was always something exciting happening at school and rarely a dull moment. I still enjoy cheering on students to this day; my spectating looks a little different now (being the announcer at Eastview Girls Volleyball home games is a little different than cheering from the stands) but I love watching students pursue excellence in their activities that they love to do.

Why I enjoy being involved with high school activities

• I don’t believe activities are just an important part of the high school experience—I believe they are the most important part of the high school experience. Whether on the field, the stage, or anywhere in between, athletics and fine arts provide invaluable lessons for students and coaches alike. Where else can young people so vividly learn technical skills, collaboration, integrity, perseverance, humility in victory, and grace in defeat? Interscholastic activities truly embody “Education and Leadership for a Lifetime,” giving students real-world opportunities to grow, learn, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey. Beyond life lessons, I deeply believe in the power of high school activities to foster belonging—to allow students to be part of something bigger than themselves. In Minnesota, high school participants are especially fortunate. With 51 sponsored activities, the Minnesota State High School League ensures that there truly is “something for everyone.” The diverse and ever-expanding opportunities in our state not only reflect the wide array of student interests but also give each student a place to shine.  More than anything, I am grateful that supporting high school activities has become a family affair.  My wife Tova and I took our son Cooper to his first-ever MSHSL State Tournament/Festival this May where he was able to help celebrate nearly 150 participants in the Visual Arts State Festival. As he gets older, we can't wait to take him to more high school events and to learn what activities he may be interested in.