INDIANAPOLIS, IN (October 19, 2017) — The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) are beginning the second year of the #MyReasonWhy campaign, which is designed to showcase the tremendous value that high school sports and activities offer to students.

Through real-life examples, #MyReasonWhy has re-affirmed that high school students involved in education-based activity programs demonstrate a higher level of academic performance and set themselves up for successful careers following high school graduation.

In the #MyReasonWhy campaign, the NFHS, HHSAA and the other state high school associations are working to ensure that education-based programs are available for years to come. The goal of this national campaign is to demonstrate why participation in high school sports has increased every year for the past 28 years, and why participation in school-based sports and activities provide students the best opportunities for success.

Last year, more than 500 unique stories were submitted via the campaign website from students, coaches and administrators. Additionally, stories were submitted through social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The #MyReasonWhy campaign has a fresh look this year and is making it even easier for students and others to share why sports and activities are important to them. Using the #MyReasonWhy hashtag and by visiting the www.MyReasonWhy.com website, the NFHS anticipates a surge in stories from students across the country who are eager to share their experiences.

“We are excited to introduce the second year of the #MyReasonWhy campaign,” said Bob Gardner, NFHS executive director. “This campaign has proved to be yet another avenue to spread the message about the values of these programs to young people. We have enjoyed reading the story submissions of why students, parents, coaches, officials and community members are involved in high school activities, and we are pleased to share those stories across the country via the new campaign website.”

“Reading the Hawaii stories featured last year reaffirmed my beliefs of the positive impacts high school sports play in people’s lives,” said Chris Chun, HHSAA executive director.  “Those same reasons that gave me joy of playing high school sports are alive and well today in our children.  Whether you are a student-athlete, parent, coach, official, or supporter, we at the NFHS and the HHSAA challenge you to remember your reason why and support this meaningful campaign.”

The launch of the #MyReasonWhy campaign also coincides with National High School Activities Month, which was started in 1980 as National High School Activities Week to increase the public’s awareness of the values and needs of interscholastic activity programs. The foundation for National High School Activities Month is like the principles of the #MyReasonWhy campaign, looking to remind students, parents, coaches, officials and others in our communities about the value of education-based activities in their daily lives.

About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.9 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

About the Hawaii High School Athletic Association

Founded in 1956, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) educational athletic organization exclusively dedicated to serving 96 public and independent member high schools statewide, as they work cooperatively to support and promote athletics as part of the high school education program. As the umbrella organization of high school athletics, the HHSAA operates 44 state championships in 18 different sports, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, in addition to providing professional development opportunities for coaches and athletic administrators.

For more information on the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, go to www.sportshigh.com.