Student Advisory Committee Leadership Conference Summary

Missouri Students Reflect on the NFHS National Student Leadership Summit

In this All-Access Podcast episode, MSHSAA leaders and Student Advisory Committee members Keely Gorman (Licking HS) and Blayde Lindsay (Brookfield HS) recap their experience attending the NFHS National Student Leadership Summit in Indianapolis, alongside Associate Executive Director James Melton and Dr. Jennifer Rukstad.

They highlight building fast, meaningful connections with student leaders from across the country and internationally, the impact of in-person learning versus online content, and leadership takeaways centered on mental wellness and resilience—especially Molly Kennedy’s “Flip Your 20” concept. The group discusses how Missouri hopes to bring ideas back to create its own student leadership summit, emphasizing community beyond competition, sportsmanship, leading yourself first, and continually asking students what they need.