High school students across the Spring area headed back to class Wednesday, Aug. 12, and the Harris County Sheriff's Office marked the occasion with a call: "Calling all high school leaders!"

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez's office announced it is accepting applications for the HCSO Youth Leadership Council, a program that places students in grades 9 through 12 in monthly meetings with department leaders and gives them behind-the-scenes access to law enforcement operations, according to the agency's verified social media account.

Spots are limited.

Council members work on issues including bullying prevention, teen dating violence, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol awareness and traffic safety, the HCSO said in an Instagram post detailing the program. Beyond the monthly sessions, participants gain access to scholarship opportunities and material for college applications and resumes.

To qualify, students must be Harris County residents in good academic standing. That makes thousands of local students eligible. Spring ISD alone serves more than 32,000 students across six high schools and three ninth-grade centers, according to the district's website.

The sheriff's office did not list a specific application deadline but noted spots are limited. Families can apply at the HCSO Youth Leadership Council page.