U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite came to Chalmette High where 450 students took part in his Student Pledge Against Gun Violence; some 21,000 students all over St. Bernard

On hand for the ceremony were, from left, Chalmette High Principal Wayne Warner, District Attorney Perry Nicosia, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite, Sheriff James Pohlmann and Quinn Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Students stand with an arm raised to take the gun violence pledge.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite came to Chalmette High on Wednesday as 450 ninth-graders participated in his Student Pledge Against Gun Violence, and some 21,000 students in more than 64 schools across Southeast Louisiana took the same pledge.

Polite, who grew up on Delery Street in the Lower Ninth Ward – the last New Orleans street before entering St. Bernard Parish – said he wanted to come to Chalmette because he considers it “near and dear to my heart.’’

I came here a lot. My first job was here’’ in a shop selling frozen yogurt, he said.

U.S. Attorney for the 13 parishes in the New Orleans area which comprise the eastern district court of Louisiana, Polite began using the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence during the 2013-14 school year.

He asked the Chalmette High students to stand, raise their hand, and pledge they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes.

Sheriff James Pohlmann and District Attorney Perry Nicosia attended the ceremony, as well as Chalmette High Principal Wayne Warner, Charles Cassar, coordinator of the drug-free schools program in St. Bernard; and Quinn Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies went to several other schools in the parish where the pledge was also given by students there. Polite also went afterward to schools in New Orleans and Houma to give the pledge.

Polite told students the pledge “shows the community that you, as young people, are taking a stand against gun violence and are lifting your voices.’’

He also made them repeat the words, “I can change the world,’’ saying they can do something if they stay in school, avoid the temptation of drug abuse and and be careful of their associations. Polite, a graduate of Harvard University, said, ”I am living proof’’ that you can make it. “Regardless of your age, gender or religion you can be a major part of finding solutions’’ to problems you didn’t create.

Polite also told students to “be careful about who you call your friends. Are they pushing you toward your goals in life or pulling you away from them?”

Sheriff Pohlmann said the pledge not to take part in gun violence is a good idea because “these students are at a vulnerable age. They need to hear this message.’’

Nicosia said “It’s important to explain to young people the danger of gun violence and how it is often connected with illegal drugs.’’