Rising Stars Leadership Academy

Rising Stars Academy

Mission:

To provide a leadership program that enables each student to be exposed to principles that will enhance their ability to be a successful and responsible citizen.

Vision:

For the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to become a community leader in developing and rewarding successful students by enhancing their ability to become productive citizens.

About the Program

The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office School Resource Section is constantly evolving to meet the many challenges inherent to a diverse and growing school environment. This agency meets these challenges by developing new initiatives and partnering with other members who can contribute to the success of these missions.

In 2010, the Community Outreach Division, in conjunction with members of the HCSO training division, Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County School District, developed a leadership program to reward high achieving students who are juniors advancing to seniors in high school. The program, called the "Sheriffs Rising Stars Leadership Academy,'' was developed to reward these students and provide them with a week long challenging leadership course.

The mission of the program is to provide a leadership program that enables each student to be exposed to principles that will enhance their ability to be a successful and responsible citizen. One eligible student is selected to represent each public high school in Hillsborough County. The week long leadership course is fully funded by the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office and will culminate in an awards ceremony for the participants and their families. A scholarship award, administered by the Hillsborough Education Foundation, is provided to students who continue to meet eligibility requirements. Our vision is for the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office to become a community leader in developing and rewarding successful students by enhancing their ability to become productive citizens.

See your School Resource Deputy/Officer for application guidelines.

Program Goals

Develop relationships between future high school seniors and positive adult role models.
Reward responsible students by providing a challenging, yet enjoyable, week long learning experience.
Deliver leadership training that will promote positive citizen involvement.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

See your School Resource Deputy / Officer to submit your application.

Each applicant must be a Junior, advancing to their Senior year.
Applicants shall provide a transcript supporting a minimum State GPA of 3.0 unweighted (State GPA).
Applicants may not have a criminal history.
Applications shall be submitted to the respective SRO / SRD by March 1, 2024.
Children of currently employed LEO’s are not eligible.