Former WP speech coach elected to National Speech Hall of Fame

Matt Heimes, former speech coach at Wauneta-Palisade, has been inducted into the National Speech and Debate Association Hall of Fame.
Heimes led WP to a Class D1 State Speech Championship in 2001, as well as D1 runner up finishes in 1999 and 2002. WP also finished fourth under Heimes leadership in 2000.
Heimes left WP in 2002 and moved on to Lincoln Southwest to start its speech program.
In his career, Heimes has had 365 students qualify for nationals, 20 of whom have reached the finals.
Besides WP and Lincoln Southwest, Heimes coached at South Platte during his 30-year career. Individuals must be 25-year NSDA members to be eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Heimes is a four Diamond award winner.
Diamond coach awards reflect excellence and longevity in the activity. A coach’s first Diamond is earned when they have been coaching in the NSDA for at least five years since achieving the degree of merit. Five years must pass between each new Diamond award. A point system is also used.
Coaches who have received Diamond awards during the current academic year are recognized during the Donus D. Roberts Diamond Assembly at that year’s national tournament
Also inducted into the NSDA Hall of Fame at the June 11 ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona were Jonathan Alston, New Jersey; Martha Benham, Colorado; William Bennett, New Mexico; Sarah Rosenberg, New York; and Raphael Scott Waldrop, Mississippi.