About the Denver East Forensics Team
The East High School Angels are the proud home of an exceptional DEFT team that consistently places among the best in the country while providing a welcoming, fun and energized environment for students to expand their boundaries and express their individuality.
Coaches
Grant Thomas
Program Director
Grant Thomas teaches speech and debate at East. He earned his BS in Education from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursing an MA in Communication Studies. As a high school competitor Grant learned the power of speech and debate firsthand and was a semifinalist at NIETOC. Before becoming the Head Coach at East he taught and coached extensively elsewhere. Including 4 years as an Assistant Coach and 9 years as a head coach, 8 of which were at SMART High School in Denver.
Noah Kaplan
Coach
Noah Kaplan is an alumnus of East Speech and Debate, and was a quarterfinalist at NSDA Nationals. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Creative Writing and English Education. He has worked in the arts, politics, non-profit, and publishing. He coaches interpretation and speech events for the Denver East Forensics Team.
Katie Hellrung
Coach
Katie Hellrung is an Assistant Coach and also teaches English at East. She graduated from DU with a BA in English Education and a MA in Curriculum & Instruction. Her passion for debate comes from work in the journalism and political sectors prior to committing her career to education. She is inspired every day by these young people, who ask the right questions, research significant current events, and give her faith in the future of our Democracy.
Lydia Bohac
Logistics Coordinator
Lydia Bohac is the Logistics Coordinator extraordinaire at DEFT. "For three wild years, I've been the secret sauce behind the SMART speech and debate team's epic journeys—navigating tournaments and overnight antics. In my spare time, I sling pastries at a local bakery, run a couple of small businesses, and love creating arts & crafts. Super excited to be moving over to East with Grant — go DEFT!"
Nawledge Brewington
Coach
Nawledge Brewington graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2023 and began coaching at East the next school year. He feels passionately about educating artists and loves coaching East Speech & Debate.