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HINCKLEY -- An enthusiastic audience of friends and family at historic Moody Chapel attended the 105th annual commencement exercises for Good Will-Hinckley's Averill High School.

Troy Frost, Good Will-Hinckley's director of education, presented the nine members of the class of 2008 with their diplomas Sunday.

Averill valedictorian and class president Tiffany Cookson gave the commencement address.

"Good Will-Hinckley has helped me to become a better person," Cookson said. "When I leave here, I want to be remembered as a positive role model and a leader. I've also learned to have fun and be a kid while I still can."

Salutatorian Courtney Hurlburt provided the welcome.

"Being at Good Will-Hinckley has not only helped me grow, but it has helped my future," Hurlburt said. "If it weren't for GWH, I wouldn't be graduating or going anywhere in life."

Board member and Class of '64 Valedictorian Pat Zlotin gave the keynote address. She remembered speaking at her own commencement, 44 years ago, and how she has served Good Will-Hinckley as a board member for many years.

Zlotin asked the Class of '08 to "think about the GWH values of growing, working and helping."

Founded in 1889, Good Will-Hinckley is a residential school that offers a safe, stable and structured environment for young people to live, learn and grow. It accepts 11-to-21 year olds who have experienced social, emotional or behavioral difficulties, learning challenges or family strife.

The Good Will-Hinckley class of 2008: Tiffany Cookson, Garrett Day, Courtney Hurlburt, Veronica Larson, Jake Manzo, K. Marie O'Neill, Gabe Sepp, Travis Staples and Corey Worcester.