ST. CROIX - The Free Will Baptist Christian School Class of 2008 laughed and reminisced about their years at the school and thanked God and their parents for seeing them through it all, during their commencement ceremony held Friday night.

The six members of the graduating class, who became best of friends in their years together, promised family, friends and well-wishers who gathered at the Free Will Baptist chapel that they would hold the teachings of the Bible close as they take the next step in their journey to adulthood.

Each graduate played a role in the ceremony.

Salutatorian Solgisselle Torres sang the national anthem. Nauricia George sang the Virgin Islands March and performed on the steel pan. Josue Alcala Henriquez gave the welcoming address, saying the Class of 2008 knows that all things are possible through God who is their comfort and guide. Britney Brodhurst Knight read a poem and introduced one of the guest speakers.

Perhaps the most touching moment of the ceremony, was when the graduates each thanked their parents for supporting through their years of school.

Valedictorian Lasiba Brodhurst Knight spoke first, calling his mother, Rena Brodhurst, his own special rose before walking over to where she sat to hand her a single red rose.

Another graduate Avery Carty thanked his parents for the "life lessons" they taught him. "Thank you for working really hard to send me here. I've been here since first grade. I love you Dad for being here for me."

Britney Brodhurst Knight, Lasiba's sister, said the adage, "It takes a village to raise a child," is true. She said besides her parents, many other family members pitched in when she needed help.

"I want to give everyone in my family that God blessed me a special thanks," she said.

In their remarks the valedictorian and salutatorian spoke of their fondest memories at Free Will Baptist School and urged their classmates to chose God as their guide.

In her address, Torres described the class as a "somewhat crazy, dysfunctional family." They have all known each other most of their lives and treat each other as brothers and sisters.

"This is our time to shine," Torres told her fellow graduates. "We must never forget that God gives us the strength to go on every day."

Torres said she takes education very seriously.

"I knew I wanted high grades," she said.

After a long day at school, homework was often the first item on her list of things to do when she got home, Torres said. At school, she paid close attention during lectures and took endless notes, she said.

"My parents always told me that they were making a sacrifice to put me in private school," Torres said. "All they wanted was good grades."

She did not disappoint them. Solgiselle is the daughter of Grisel and Manuel Torres.

Torres will attend the University of the Virgin Islands and plans to major in business. She dreams of one day owning her own business, she said.

Torres said she originally wanted to study music but "not many people make it big in the music industry." Torres she wanted a career she would be excel in.

For valedictorian Lasiba Brodhurst Knight school work came almost effortlessly to him. But that was not always the case.

He said as young boy, he struggled in school. But by the time he got to junior high school, "everything clicked," he said. Knight said he spends little time poring over books and easily understands most of the work.

He is an avid reader of science fiction novels, which may have helped, he said. Knight is also Free Will Baptist's top soccer player.

Knight will attend the University of the Virgin Islands and hopes move to a university on the mainland to study mechanical engineering.

"Basically I want to know how everything works," he said.

He took time in his valedictorian address to mention the close friendships he shared with each of his classmates. They are like family, he said.

Both Free Will Baptist pastor Kent Nelson asked the graduates to remember their spiritual education they were given at the school.

In his address, guest speaker Pastor Alsender Williams of Midland Wesleyan Holiness Church urged the graduates to remember God in their youth, to live responsibly, to choose friends wisely and to avoid repeating mistakes.

"What matters is not how long you live but what you do while you are alive," Williams said.

Former U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales was the keynote speaker at Friday's ceremony.