Published on July 15, 2025 6:26 am
Last Updated on July 15, 2025 6:26 am
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 14, 2025) — This week, 211 student ambassadors from 32 states, Canada and Honduras, along with more than 60 adult advisors, will gather in Indianapolis for the ninth annual National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS). The event marks the 16th national conference for high school students sponsored by the NFHS since the inaugural conference in 2001.
The NSLS will be held Tuesday through Thursday at The Alexander hotel in Indianapolis. This year’s summit includes student ambassadors from one new state: Montana.
The summit focuses on contemporary and relevant issues, allowing students to hone their leadership skills and understand the privilege and responsibility of their influence in schools, communities and state associations. Each day features keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Using a “lead the leader” concept, student and adult ambassadors develop the skills to mentor peers and serve their state associations more effectively. Topics covered include developing and maintaining healthy relationships with teammates, coaches, officials, and other leaders. Two leading topics at this year’s summit are mental health and inclusion.
The five general session speakers are Khatdija Meghjani, Anne Fennell, Omari Pearson, Jason Michaels and Jonathan Heider.
Meghjani, a storyteller from the Atlanta-based Dear World project, and Fennell, president of the California Music Educators Association, will speak during the Opening General Session on Tuesday at 9:45 a.m.
On Tuesday evening, students will travel to Plainfield High School for a Unified Sports Experience with Indiana Special Olympics athletes. They’ll participate in joint competitions and share athletic experiences through interactive activities.
Pearson, president and founder of the education-based life skills company Passion to Purpose LLC, will headline the Second General Session with “Money Moves: Leading with Financial Confidence” at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Michaels, an internationally acclaimed magician, speaker and best-selling author, will follow with his “#DoTheImpossible” presentation during General Session Three.
On Thursday morning, Heider — a dynamic speaker, accessibility advocate and former Paralympic athlete — will wrap up the conference with remarks during the Closing General Session.
Additional content speaker sessions include: “Heart and Mind Protection,” by Meghjani; “Leading to Belonging,” by Leslie Barnes and Dr. Cricket Lane; “Personal Social Media Branding and Responsibility,” from Pearson; and “Relationship Building and Maintenance,” by Deb Hult.
Dr. Lane is the senior associate athletic director for student-athlete development at the University of North Carolina, and Barnes holds the same title at Duke University. Hult is co-founder of Core Trainings and a nationally recognized expert in relational and motivational leadership.
Planning for the NSLS began last September, when NFHS member state associations were invited to participate. Student and adult ambassadors were selected by participating state associations earlier this year.
The NFHS started the NSLS in 2015 after previously hosting the National Student Leadership Conference seven times (2001-03, 2007-10). As the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts, member associations felt the NFHS should continue its role in developing and nurturing the leadership skills of high school students.
For more information on the NSLS, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “About,” then click on “National Student Leadership Summit” under the Conferences and Events heading.