About 4,000 Birmingham students graduated Wednesday at Fair Park Arena.  The students didn't receive diplomas, though.  Instead, these sixth-graders took a pledge to stay away from gangs.  They are graduates of the GREAT program.  GREAT stands for Gang Resistance Education and Training. 

GREAT is administered by the Birmingham Police Department.  Chief A.C. Roper says, "We are facing gang issues here in Birmingham, and the entire metropolitan area.  So, these kids face those types of decisions every day, and it's important we arm them with the information they need, so they can make quality decisions."

The 13-week curriculum doesn't just cover about gangs, though.  Officers also teach students the importance of choosing good friends, taking responsibility and setting goals.  One graduate, Bria Gunn, says she learned a lot from the course, adding, "I want to graduate from middle school, go on to high school.  I want to keep my grades up."

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