Wausa speech duo to be featured on TV special
WAUSA – Tyler Baue and Cole Story’s gold medal-winning performance at the state speech contest likely will have people talking when they tune in to watch them on TV.
The two Wausa High School seniors are among Nebraska’s finest high school orators who will take the stage for the “2022 NSAA Speech Championships: Best of the Best” at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 24, on Nebraska Public Media.
Produced in the Ron Hull Studio at Nebraska Public Media in Lincoln, the two-hour program showcases high school students performing their winning state championship speeches.
Baue and Story finished in first place in Duet Acting for Class D1 during the Nebraska School Activities Association’s 2022 State Speech Championships on March 18 at Kearney High School in Kearney.
For Baue, he described being featured on the “2022 NSAA Speech Championships: Best of the Best” as “amazing.”
“We worked so hard this season, and as a result, we placed first at state, giving us this crazy opportunity,” he said. “I’ve wanted to be a part of ‘Best of the Best’ since I won my freshman year, and this year made my dreams come true.”
Story had similar feelings on being featured on the television program.
“It feels really good,” he said. “Tyler and I have been doing duet for some time now, and to end off our duet careers by being on TV is an incredible experience.”
Neither Baue nor Story have ever been featured on this kind of TV show before.
“I guess the closest thing to it would be when they recorded our state OID (Oral Interpretation of Drama) performance last year, but that was because COVID made it hard for people to come to watch,” Baue said.
Baue and Story performed a comedy called “Brutally Honest Life Coach” for their Duet Acting piece.
“It is about me, a pathetic loser, seeking life advice from Tyler, a life coach of sorts, and trying to get my life together and not be a loser,” Story said.
The two Wausa students have been Duet Acting partners since their sophomore year.
“We didn’t even know it until about a week or so until our first performance of that year,” Baue said. “I originally was going to do a duet with Darla Nelson, but plans changed, and Cole was the alternate.”
Baue noted that he honestly does not know why he and Story work so well together as Duet Acting partners.
“We just feed off each other’s energy and have so much fun when we perform,” Baue said. “We both love acting and performing, so it comes to us naturally. We’ve become really good friends since sophomore year.”
Story explained why he and Baue work and perform so well together.
“We work well together because of how long we’ve known each other,” Story said. “I have known Tyler pretty much my whole life, and we’ve been good friends that entire time, so that definitely helps.”
Baue and Story helped Wausa win the 2022 NSAA State Speech Championships in Class D1 on March 18 to finish off a strong season for the Vikings program.
“The 2022 speech season was such a memorable one,” Baue said. “I had a very good season in all of my events this year and placed at the top at every meet.
“I’m very happy with our entire team as we won every meet except one,” he said. “Wausa definitely made the community proud and showed people the kind of talent we have.”
Story noted that Wausa had a really strong speech team this year.
“All of us performed amazingly throughout the year,” he said. “Tyler and I both made it to state speech and (the finals) in all three of our events, with him winning all gold and me winning two gold and a silver. I couldn’t have asked for a better season.”
In addition to finishing in first place in Duet Acting during the state speech contest, Baue and Story also earned a gold medal in Oral Interpretation of Drama.
They performed their OID with fellow seniors Leah Bloomquist, Trey McQuay and Abrielle Nelson.
Baue also finished in first place in Serious Prose during the state speech competition, while Story earned a silver medal in Humorous Prose.
For Baue, he explained that he has difficulty putting into words what being part of the Wausa speech program has done for him.
“I think the best way to put it is to look at how much I’ve grown,” he said. “I’ve grown so much academically, professionally, and as a leader.
“Speech has given me a platform to showcase my talents and also create meaningful relationships with new people, and people in the school/community,” he said.
Baue noted that there has never been a dull moment during his time as a part of the Wausa speech team, which is under the leadership of coaches Kyle and Samantha Stevens.
“Practices are fun, competitions are fun and everything about speech is exciting,” Baue said. “I’ve been a part of this team for four years, and I’ve never felt under appreciated.
“Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have created a program that can take on any school of any class,” he said. “I’m so lucky and grateful to have been a part of this team and program.”
Story explained what he will take away from being a member of the Wausa speech program.
“I took away important skills in public speaking, as well as some incredible acting experiences,” he said. “I took part in speech for all four years of my high school career, and I have enjoyed everything about it, with the notable exception of waking up early for each meet.”
Baue expressed gratitude to his coaches, his family, the community, the school and everyone else who have made his years with the Wausa speech team so memorable and fun.
“I will forever be grateful for this experience and the memories made,” he said.
Where to Watch
In addition to being on TV at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 24, on Nebraska Public Media, the “2022 NSAA Speech Championships: Best of the Best” also may be viewed online at NebraskaPublicMedia.org.
