Student-athletes from across La Joya ISD are stepping into a new role this school year - not just as competitors, but as leaders charged with helping shape the culture of athletics across the district.

On Wednesday, September 2, La Joya ISD Athletics kicked off the 2026-2027 Student Athletic Leadership Team, or S.A.L.T., bringing together selected student-athletes representing La Joya High School, Palmview High School, and Juarez-Lincoln High School for the first of six leadership sessions planned throughout the school year.

The districtwide initiative brings together student-athletes from fall, winter, and spring sports with a shared mission: develop strong leaders who positively influence their teams, represent their schools with character, serve their communities, and help strengthen the connection among La Joya ISD’s athletic programs.

Under the theme “One Pack. One Mission.”, S.A.L.T. emphasizes five core values - pride, respect, integrity, discipline, and excellence - while challenging students to recognize that leadership extends far beyond the scoreboard.

“Our student-athletes already have tremendous influence on their campuses, and S.A.L.T. gives us an opportunity to intentionally develop that influence into leadership,” said Joe Peña, Executive Director of Athletics for La Joya ISD. “We want them to understand that being a leader is not about the sport you play, the jersey you wear, or whether your team wins or loses. It is about how you carry yourself, how you serve others, and how you make the people around you better. We are developing young people who can lead their teams today and their communities tomorrow.”

Wednesday’s inaugural meeting of the year introduced students to the purpose and expectations of S.A.L.T. and included a charge from La Joya ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcey Sorensen on the district’s expectations of student-athlete leaders.

Students also participated in campus and sport introductions and the “Pack Switch,” an interactive team-building activity intentionally designed to connect athletes from different campuses and athletic seasons. The group also elected S.A.L.T. student officers who will help provide leadership and student voice throughout the year.

A key component of the initiative is breaking down traditional boundaries between individual sports and campuses. S.A.L.T. members are expected to support fellow athletes across seasons, serve as ambassadors for La Joya ISD Athletics, give back to their campuses and communities, and serve as a direct connection between student-athletes and the district’s Athletic Department.

That student voice is central to the initiative.

“Some of the best insight into our athletic programs comes directly from the students experiencing them every day,” Peña said. “We want our student-athletes to have a seat at the table. We want to hear their ideas, understand their experiences, and empower them to take ownership of the culture they want to see across La Joya ISD Athletics. When students know their voice matters, they become invested not only in their own success, but in the success of the entire program.”