RCSD student athletes stand out at state leadership conference while building skills beyond the field

Rochester, New York – A quiet sense of pride followed three young athletes from the Rochester City School District as they made their way to the state capital earlier this week, stepping into a setting far removed from their usual fields and courts. In Albany, the focus was not on scores or standings, but on something less visible and arguably more lasting—leadership.

The occasion was the NYSPHSAA Student Athlete Leadership Conference, a gathering that drew roughly 250 student-athletes from across New York State. Representing Section V were three standouts: Terrel Cunningham Jr. of James Monroe High School, Dezmon Jackson of World of Inquiry School No. 58, and Kimore Hampton of Joseph C Wilson Magnet High School Commencement Academy. Each arrived with a strong athletic résumé, but the conference asked something different of them—reflection, communication, and growth beyond competition.

The atmosphere inside the sessions was less about rivalry and more about exchange. Students moved between workshops, listened to keynote speakers, and engaged in discussions that challenged them to think about their roles not just as athletes, but as examples within their schools and communities. The emphasis was clear: leadership does not begin and end with a whistle.

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For Cunningham, the transition from quarterback to conference participant carried a certain weight. As a junior who led Monroe’s football team to a state championship, he is no stranger to pressure or responsibility. His achievements stretch beyond the gridiron, too—he recently competed at the state level in track on Staten Island. Yet in Albany, the spotlight shifted. Leadership here was less about directing a play and more about understanding how influence travels through words, actions, and consistency.

Jackson’s path tells a different story, but one equally layered. A sophomore balancing multiple sports across different schools, he has already experienced the challenge of adapting to new teams and environments. Football at East High, basketball at World of Inquiry, and track at Padilla High School have each shaped his perspective. That variety seemed to fit naturally into the conference setting, where diversity of experience became a shared strength rather than a dividing line.

Then there is Hampton, whose presence reflects both athletic versatility and a strong sense of community. Competing in volleyball, basketball, and flag football is only part of the picture. Her involvement in Unified sports programs, including flag football and bowling, points to a broader commitment—one that aligns closely with the values highlighted throughout the conference. Leadership, in this context, is not just about performance, but about inclusion and support.

As the days unfolded, connections began to form. Students from different regions, backgrounds, and sports found common ground in their ambitions and challenges. Conversations stretched beyond scheduled sessions, spilling into informal moments that often leave the deepest impressions. For many, including the Rochester trio, the experience became as much about listening as it was about speaking.

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The conference’s purpose was straightforward but ambitious: to equip young athletes with tools they can carry back to their teams, schools, and neighborhoods. The hope is that these students will not only lead by example, but also inspire others to think differently about what it means to be part of a team.

There is something quietly powerful about that idea. No trophies were handed out in Albany, no championships decided. And yet, the impact may prove just as significant. The lessons shared—about character, responsibility, and influence—are not confined to a single season.

As Cunningham, Jackson, and Hampton return to Rochester, they bring with them more than memories of a trip to the capital. They carry a renewed sense of purpose, shaped by conversations and experiences that reached beyond the boundaries of sport. In a district that continues to invest in its students, their participation stands as a reminder that leadership can be taught, learned, and, most importantly, lived.

For these three athletes, the journey is still unfolding. But for now, their moment in Albany offers a glimpse of what can happen when talent meets opportunity—and when the game extends far beyond the field.