In 1921, a group of Montana high school administrators met in Helena and organized the Montana High School Athletic Association. The emergence of the MHSA gave a high degree of assurance to youthful high school athletes that the privilege of participating in an equitable, well-organized athletic program would be available to them. Today, the MHSA has 181 member schools and oversees 11 sports along with speech, drama and music activities. The mission of the MHSA is to assure that the membership is provided with leadership and support in advancing equitable MHSA interscholastic activities for the growth and educational experience for students.