Wayne State College has a strong history of talented and unique graduates from each and every one of its degree programs. Former WSC students Brad and Sheila Hoesing have made a name for themselves with their work at Wausa Public Schools in Wausa, NE.
Brad Hoesing works as the superintendent and serves on the NSAA Board of Directors for District 3. Sheila Hoesing teaches broadcast media as well as family and consumer sciences. In addition to her job teaching, Sheila is also the one-act director and head speech coach.
Although Wausa is a small school with only around 220 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, both Sheila Hoesing’s programs have been incredibly successful.
Under Sheila’s direction, the Wausa one-act program, an acting program competition where only one act is performed, has consistently scored well in competition and earned district titles, contributing to their growing reputation. With her script-writing experience from WSC, Sheila even writes one-act scripts for the Wausa theater department herself.
However, when discussing her work with Wausa Public Schools, she credits her fellow staff members with helping maintain the school’s success. Even though the team is small, they have had a significant impact on the school’s programming. Sheila believes that collaboration is what really allows her students to thrive.
In a small town community, every individual has the potential to make a huge difference in the students’ lives.
“I can truly say that I am surrounded by some of the most amazing assistants and
co-workers anyone could ever ask for,” Sheila Hoesing said. “Together we are able to help our students and hopefully bring out the best in them!”
The Hoesings have become an integral part of their community in Wausa, bringing strong leadership and a greater appreciation for theater to such a small school.
The alumni of WSC have powerful stories to share. Brad and Sheila Hoesing are just one great example. They met during their time at WSC and have been together ever since. Having been from different programs on campus, they were first introduced when they acted in the same play.
Sheila was heavily active in the WSC theater department and Brad was a student-athlete on the football team. Just one connection brought them together for life.
Reflecting on her time at WSC, Sheila Hoesing credits the theater department with preparing herself for her current position in Wausa.
“I had some of my best memories on the stage at Ramsey,” Shelia Hoesing said. “I learned so much about who I was and who I wanted to become from the advisors, professors and other students in the program. I use what I learned every single day with my own students.”
With education as one of the most popular degree programs at WSC, there are many alumni in similar positions to Sheila. Graduates from the education programs give back to their communities through their generous work with local schools.
Sheila Hoesing loved her time at WSC, saying her favorite part was the atmosphere. “Wayne State gives you such a close knit, family style of learning you truly feel part ofthe college,”Sheila Hoesing said. “I still have such great relationships with my professors and of course classmates and friends that I gained from attending.”
Brad and Sheila Hoesing continue to be positive role models for their students, showing how WSC graduates shape the future through both education and theater across Nebraska.
