NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Guns, drugs and gang violence may sound like the ingredients to an "R" rated movie, but all are problems Metro high school students face.

Related: Summit Held At McGavock HS | Administrators Prepare For Event | Video

School administrators held the 13th annual school safety summit at McGavock High School on Tuesday. It was designed to encourage students to choose education, overcome challenges and increase Nashville's graduation rate.

Metro school administrators said they are battling to keep kids in school and focused on learning.

"We are constantly struggling against what's going on at home, what's going on in the community and ultimately what's going on in the society as it relates to violence, as it relates to alcohol," said Metro Schools administrator Ralph Thompson.

Graduation rates for last school year are not yet out. During the 2007-2008 school year, nearly 73 percent of students earned a diploma.

"I can stay in school, I will stay in school and I must stay in school. I can graduate, I will graduate and I must graduate. I must stay away from drugs and alcohol. I must behave," said Thompson.

Attendance is up 10 percent from this time last school year, and administrators want to keep that momentum going. With the help of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, 101 FM "The Beat's" DJ A.G., a cast of media members and two local pastors, students saw firsthand how hard work pays off.

"We definitely want to touch on (and) emphasize education, graduation, attendance and staying in school and the importance of that. We want to highlight and we will talk about the ill effects, if you will, of the use of drugs and alcohol, the abuse of alcohol and drugs and violence, including gang violence," Thompson said

Tuesday's event was for everyone -- high school students, parents and community members.

"My message to them was, 'We're all here to support you, but you all need to be the leaders in creating the right kind of environment in all of your schools,'" said Metro Schools Director Dr. Jesse Register.

Thompson said because the event was all about coming together, the school's metal detectors were taken down, and there was no security frisks and drug dogs.

Register said he hopes that everything students heard on Tuesday will ultimately lead to more students graduating.

"It was a lot of words of encouragement and things to lift our spirit," said student Daniel Shelton.

This is the first year the event was held during fall break. The high school with the highest attendance wins a free DJ for prom from 101 "The Beat," Thompson said.

The event ran from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Tennessee Titans players Vincent Fuller and David Thornton were scheduled to speak but could not attend due to a team meeting.

Transportation was provided with pickup and drop-off points at Cane Ridge High School, Whites Creek High School and Hillsboro High School.