Wausa Claims Sixth Straight State Championship

There's no illusion here — Wausa continues to be dominant in one-act as the team won its sixth straight state championship on Wednesday. 

Wausa has a staggering 62 students participating in one-act.  

"Our kids have overcome some things and they are just a strong group of kids who really pulled together," said  Brad Hoesing, who directed the production with his wife, Sheila. "And our Community supports us every day. We don't get that many kids involved from a small town like Wausa without the parental support."

Sheila Hoesing couldn't hide her excitement for yet another state championship.

"I can finally sleep now!" she exclaimed with delight.

At the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk, Wausa performed "Illusions" and competed against five additional Class D1 schools from throughout the state to include Humphrey St. Francis, Johnson-Brock, Bertrand, Callaway and Leyton.

Outstanding male actor in class D1 was Taylor Kumm of Wausa. As a team, Wausa claimed three first-place votes from judges. Runner-up was Johnson-Brock with St. Francis earning third.

Wausa play production director Sheila Hoesing has had a hand in guiding students since 2006 and nows the recipe of success has two key ingredients. 

“Hard work and community support," Hoesing said.

Wausa is no stranger to the winner’s circle as they have made a state appearance for the last 12 consecutive years. Of these dozen years, they have claimed the championships 11 times. The one year they did not win, they finished third. Hoesing has been a part of every year.

Wausa went into the championships with a major advantage. The five schools competing against Wausa had a combined championship historical count of five wins while Wausa had that many titles in just the last five years.

Hoesing said the kids seem to work harder each year in order to hold up the tradition. A key element of Wausa’s success is that scripts are written by Hoesing herself.  By creating scripts that suit the kids characteristics help tailor their production to the tools at hand. 

---