OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Oskaloosa High School junior Linus Morrison is no stranger to local leadership, but this year he’s stepping onto a national stage. Recently selected as one of just 16 students nationwide to serve on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National Student Advisory Council, Morrison is now helping shape the future of high school athletics and activities across the country.
The NFHS, which governs most high school sports and activities nationwide, launched the student council just two years ago. Morrison is one of eight juniors selected for a one-year term. Eight sophomores were also chosen and will serve two-year terms, creating a rotating leadership model.
“This is the second year they’ve done it,” Morrison said. “They picked eight juniors and eight sophomores. I was one of the juniors who got picked, and I’ll serve for a year.”
The council gives students a voice in decisions traditionally made by adults, including updates to national rules and initiatives that impact student-athletes. The goal is to ensure students’ perspectives are heard, especially in areas like team culture, sportsmanship, and leadership development.
“In years past, they haven’t had a student board,” Morrison explained. “They’ve just had people working there trying to come up with ideas. So they came to us to see what we see in the classroom and in sports, and how to improve that.”
Council members offer input on everything from rule changes and coaching certification processes to educational resources for athletes facing team-related challenges.
“Sometimes, if a student has problems on a team, they have classes for them to take,” Morrison said. “They also have coaching tests and certification materials, and we get to weigh in on all that.”
Morrison’s first experience with the council was an intensive in-person session in Indianapolis, where all 16 student members met for the first time.
“We were one big group for 40 hours straight,” he said. “We really got to know each other fast. It kind of felt like a family.”
That sense of camaraderie is especially important considering the responsibility the students carry. Morrison and a fellow student from Chicago represent Section 4, which includes much of the Midwest. Altogether, the council advocates for millions of students across the U.S.
“I think the number was 12 million students,” Morrison said. “It’s a huge group to represent. There’s a lot of pressure, but I’m super fortunate to have this opportunity.”
Morrison’s path to the national council began with a summer leadership camp hosted by NFHS in July. Around 300 students attended to sharpen their leadership skills and learn more about student involvement in school activities.
“I really loved it,” he said. “I liked the connection I had with all the kids, and I thought, ‘Hey, I kind of want to lead next year.’”
He and a peer filled out a brief application, and soon after, Morrison was notified of his selection to the national council.
His one-year term runs from spring 2025 to spring 2026. In addition to in-person meetings in Indianapolis, the group connects monthly via Zoom to share updates and collaborate on key topics. He’ll return to Indianapolis in July for further work with the council.
While Morrison is still early in his term, he’s already focused on what he hopes to contribute.
“I want to grow on the leadership side of things,” he said. “A lot of what we do ties into athletics, and that’s a big part of who I am. I just want to help improve the student experience.”
He credits Oskaloosa High School for giving him the foundation to pursue opportunities like this.
“Osky has so many opportunities,” Morrison said. “Mrs. Gile does a great job of getting kids out there and showing who they want to be. And the school pushes kids to get involved. That’s a big deal.”
Morrison recognizes the contrast between his experience in a larger district like Oskaloosa and what might be available in smaller schools.
“In a smaller school, they might not have the same resources or connections,” he said. “I really believe Osky has a great culture of getting kids involved, both in the school and in the community.”