Hailey
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) recently hosted its first-ever Student Summit, bringing together dozens of student-athletes from across Kansas to share their ideas and vision for the future of high school sports and activities.
The half-day event in Topeka marked a milestone in student participation, offering youth a direct platform to influence policies and governance.
This article explores the summit’s details, key outcomes, participant data, and the emerging vision for Kansas high school athletics.
Summit Overview
On November 13, 2025, KSHSAA welcomed approximately 100 student leaders representing schools of all sizes.
These students joined members of the Student Advisory Team (SAT)—a body of 12 representatives covering classifications 1A through 6A.
The event agenda focused on:
- Understanding how KSHSAA functions as a governing body
- Exploring how rules and regulations are formed
- Discussing ways for student-athletes to have a voice in decision-making
The summit emphasized that student input is crucial for shaping programs that balance athletics, academics, and leadership development.
Key Summit Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | November 13, 2025 |
| Location | Topeka, Kansas (KSHSAA Headquarters) |
| Attendees | ~100 student leaders from across Kansas |
| Student Advisory Team (SAT) | 12 members (one boy & girl from each classification 1A-6A) |
| Main Topics | KSHSAA governance, student voice, athletics & activities policy |
| Organizing Body | Kansas State High School Activities Association |
Discussions and Focus Areas
The summit provided opportunities for student-athletes to:
- Gain insight into KSHSAA operations, including rule-making and classifications
- Express their vision for athletics and activities, emphasizing that student voice should influence decisions
- Engage in peer dialogue, sharing perspectives across school sizes
- Establish a framework for ongoing collaboration between students and the governing body
Students highlighted the importance of understanding how rules are applied differently across small and large schools, fostering mutual respect and inclusivity.
Importance Of The Summit
The event is significant for several reasons:
- Elevating student voice: Students directly influence decision-making and policy development.
- Promoting leadership development: Participants gain practical leadership experience and understand governance systems.
- Bridging classification divides: Representation from 1A to 6A schools ensures all perspectives are heard.
- Setting a precedent: The summit may serve as a model for future student involvement and engagement initiatives.
Voices and Perspectives
- Lee Holopirek (1A student representative): “As a student, you listen more when it’s other students…you can relate to it easier.”
- Jeremy Holoday (KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director): “If our mission is to support students and help them become well-rounded, we need to hear their input.”
Student-advisory members noted that the diversity of schools changes how rules are interpreted and implemented, underscoring the need for inclusive discussions.
Vision For The Future
Several key themes emerged from student discussions:
- Greater student input in rule-making and governance processes
- Focus on well-rounded development, balancing athletics with leadership, academics, and character-building
- Inclusivity across school sizes and regions, ensuring smaller schools’ perspectives are considered
- Transparency and understanding of rule-making, promoting buy-in and compliance
- Health, safety, and equitable access in athletics, emphasizing sportsmanship and well-being
The inaugural KSHSAA Student Summit marks a major step toward youth-driven governance in Kansas high school athletics.
By uniting students from small and large schools to engage with the governing body, KSHSAA demonstrated its commitment to leadership, transparency, and inclusive evolution of programs.
The students’ vision emphasizes athletic excellence, character-building, and fairness—elements that will guide the future of Kansas high school sports.
This summit sets a blueprint for ongoing student engagement and meaningful impact in shaping high school athletics.