NFHS National Student Advisory Council Provides Vital Perspective

While the NFHS juggles numerous priorities throughout any given calendar year, the organization’s ultimate goal remains the same: to ensure that all students have an opportunity to enjoy healthy participation, achievement and good sportsmanship in education-based activities.

Administrators, coaches and other adult leaders play a pivotal role in achieving these goals, but the NFHS recognizes that hearing directly from students is equally important in improving conditions for future generations.

One way the NFHS is providing students a voice is through the National Student Advisory Council (NSAC).

The NFHS NSAC is made up of two students from each of the eight NFHS geographic regions. Each member is actively involved in sports or performing arts at their school and will attend several meetings throughout the 2025-26 school year. During these sessions, students provide the NFHS with perspectives on the current landscape of high school athletics and activities.

The group’s responsibilities extend well beyond attending meetings. Among their roles, the 16 students will develop ways to gather insight on the experiences of peers at schools across their regions. They will also identify and communicate areas where support may be needed from the NFHS or state associations. Another priority will be finding and sharing ideas to increase student involvement in cocurricular activities, particularly in places where participation is limited.

Serving on the NSAC is a highly selective honor. Members represent more than 12 million students participating in sports and activities across 19,800 schools nationwide. Their role is to ensure student perspectives reach the highest levels of decision-making within the NFHS.

“NSAC stands as a beacon of hope and leadership, reminding us that when young voices are empowered, communities are transformed,” NFHS Director of Sports, Sanctioning and Student Services Elliot Hopkins said. “The NSAC is more than a leadership group, it’s the voice and vision of millions of high school students across the country. Each council member carries the power to inspire change today and to shape a brighter tomorrow for every student who follows.”

Before being selected for NSAC, the students attended the NFHS National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS), held each summer in Indianapolis. The 2025 event took place July 13–17 and brought together student leaders from across the country and beyond.

This year, 211 student ambassadors from 32 states, Canada and Honduras, along with more than 60 adult advisors, gathered in Indianapolis for the summit. The event gave students an opportunity to discuss contemporary and relevant issues, sharpen leadership skills and explore the privilege and responsibility that comes with their influence in schools, communities and state associations.

“The collective desire for growth and determination to improve was truly inspiring every minute I was there,” Section 8 representative Ave Norby from Montana said. “It made me realize the impact my own energy and attitude can have in the spaces I am a part of. I have the power to influence others’ motivation, participation, growth and success just by how I show up. I have brought that mindset back to extracurriculars at my school and I have noticed the difference.”

The NSAC provides a natural extension of the summit’s goals by giving students an official platform to carry their insights into action. While the NSLS allows for reflection and connection, the NSAC turns those ideas into initiatives that can shape NFHS policies and programs.

Members of the current NSAC have already expressed an interest in addressing issues that extend well beyond the playing field.

“I would say one of the biggest issues that high schoolers that engage in extracurriculars face today is burnout,” said Jamarcus Tyson, Section 5 representative from Kansas. “The NSAC could tackle this issue by addressing burnout and why as a high school student participating in extracurriculars it is important to know limitations.”

The issue of burnout resonates with many high school students who juggle athletics, performing arts, academics and parttime jobs. NSAC members see their role as helping to create healthier expectations around participation while still encouraging achievement and involvement.

Mental health is another concern that has gained prominence in recent years. The NSAC members believe the NFHS can play a role in reducing stigma and providing resources for schools to support students’ emotional well-being. They also hope to address ways schools and activities can be more inclusive and welcoming for all students, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from participation.

By bridging the gap between students and adult leaders, the NSAC helps the NFHS stay grounded in the lived experiences of young people. For the students themselves, the opportunity provides a chance to develop leadership, advocacy and collaboration skills that extend far beyond high school.

The NFHS emphasizes that the council’s work is not symbolic but central to its mission. The voices of 16 students may represent millions more, ensuring that national policies reflect the needs and concerns of those they are designed to serve.

Council members said the NSAC is not only about identifying challenges but also about finding solutions. These student leaders are committed to leaving a lasting impact.

Through the NSAC, the NFHS continues to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that students are not only participants but also partners in shaping the future of high school sports and activities.

“One thing people should know about the NSAC team is that we genuinely care and want to make a difference,” said Evelyn Meyer, NSAC Section 5 representative from Nebraska. “We know how important this group is, and we don’t take the opportunity lightly. Each of us is committed to making sure student voices are heard and that our sports and activities truly reflect what matters to us as students.”

Jordan Morey is manager of communications and media relations at the NFHS.