ATLANTA - Ludacris returned to his alma mater, stepped into a gymnasium - and saw a mural that included his likeness.

"I've always wanted a street named after me, but this is better," the 30-year-old rapper said of the mural, which includes his face overlooking the words "Gym of Dreams."

He was welcomed back to Banneker High School in south Atlanta to participate in a crusade against violence. He spoke at a ceremony Monday honoring a project by students who stuffed a box with more than 1,000 anonymous letters on the topics of gang violence and rape into a black coffin in early February.

The small gym was named for Christopher Bridges, Ludacris' real name. He also received a red-and-white No. 69 football jersey. He graduated from the school in 1996.

"I know a lot of us come from hard times, but it's extremely important that you use your street knowledge and book knowledge to get to where you need to be," he told a crowd of about 2,000.

Principal Robert L. Williams said his predecessor hadn't let Ludacris come to the school "as his rap personality to tell his testimony of success."

"The person before me believed students were too rowdy for him to come," he said. "But I have a different view, because he'll be able to change someone's mind-set for the good."

Ludacris and R&B; singer Monica planted two trees on the school's front lawn.

"This is a way to show them how to stay on track," Monica said. "There's a lot of peer pressure out there in the world. But the tree symbolizes a fresh start."

Ludacris and school officials were persuaded to work together by Malika James, who headed the event along with Men of Destiny, a local mentorship program. James is producing a TV documentary series, "Behind the Mic," from the event.

"When people say, 'Never forget where you come from,' this is what they mean," Ludacris said. "I'm just trying to use my celebrity status to help the kids understand that they can make it."

Ludacris won a Grammy for best rap album for "Release Therapy" and best rap song for "Money Maker."