Education

While many students enjoy the slower pace of summer, nearly 350 Katy ISD student-athletes chose to spend their day immersed in leadership development, personal growth, and team-building at the district’s annual Student Athlete Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.) Conference.

Held on Wednesday, July 16, the event brought together representatives from every University Interscholastic League (UIL) sport offered across the district’s ten high schools. Students are nominated to attend by their campus coaching staff based on leadership potential, sportsmanship, and dedication to both their sport and their community.

Though organized by Katy ISD, the conference emphasized universal themes of character, accountability, and service that transcend any single district or scoreboard.

“This event is about much more than sports – it is about leadership, growth and how student athletes can make a difference both on and off the field,” said Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski. “By taking part in the S.A.L.T. program, our students are setting themselves apart – gaining skills and experiences that will help them succeed in life, not just athletics.”

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The day-long conference was led by Stephen Mackey, founder and CEO of the 2Words Character Development Program. Mackey, who is known throughout Texas for his high-energy delivery and relatable storytelling, served as the keynote speaker and facilitated interactive activities that encouraged athletes to reflect on the responsibilities and influence that come with wearing a team jersey.

Rather than sitting through lectures, students were challenged to engage with one another across campuses and sports through group discussion, friendly competition, and real-life leadership scenarios. The goal: to equip young athletes with the tools to be “generational leaders,” as Mackey often phrases it—role models whose impact reaches beyond the field or gym.

The conference also featured appearances by notable athletes, including Ryder Anderson of the New Orleans Saints, MLB pitcher Stefan Crichton of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Katy ISD Hall of Honor inductee Shane Ros. Their presence added both inspiration and credibility, showing students what dedication and discipline can lead to, while reinforcing the idea that leadership starts long before the professional spotlight.

With approximately 15,000 junior high and high school students participating in UIL sports across Katy ISD, athletics remains a significant part of the student experience in this fast-growing West Houston suburb. The district’s athletic program, which spans grades 7–12 and includes a wide range of sports from football to swimming to wrestling, is structured to support both competition and character development.

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High school athletic programs are offered at all ten district high schools, while each of the eighteen junior high campuses fields teams aligned with their respective feeder high schools. Over the years, Katy ISD teams have collectively earned 25 state titles across various sports, including football, soccer, tennis, swimming, and cross country.

Still, as emphasized by the mission and transformational statements from the district’s Athletics Department, the focus remains on shaping well-rounded individuals who understand the value of integrity, teamwork, and personal accountability.

The S.A.L.T. Conference serves as a summer anchor in this broader mission—an annual reminder that leadership isn’t just about calling plays or scoring goals, but about showing up, standing tall, and setting an example when it counts.

For more stories about local student achievements, leadership initiatives, and youth sports in Katy, stay tuned with My Neighborhood News.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.