6 teens to graduate from police program

Six local students are set to graduate Tuesday from a Glendale

Police-sponsored program that aims to teach leadership,

responsibility and respect to youths.

The teens are part of STAR -- Students Training as Role Models --

which is designed to deter kids from gang and other problem behavior

and give them positive exposure to police. Activities include field

trips and a curriculum that includes prejudice and discrimination.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will be at 5 p.m.

Tuesday at Catholic Charities, 4322 San Fernando Road.

Participants are referred to the program by teachers and other

school administrators as early as 9. Upon graduation, the teens will

be eligible to become team leaders, who mentor the younger

participants in the program.

Gretchen Hoffman