ARLINGTON — Michele Martin has always strived to set a standard of holiness for herself.

“If we do this, we will begin to change the world, one step at a time,” said Martin, Arlington Christian School graduate and valedictorian, during the school’s 27th annual graduation ceremony. “(During my time here), I might not have been able to change peoples’ minds, but I was the person who never compromised. If you have standards, you stick to who you are.”

Martin was one of three graduating seniors who donned caps and gowns and received their diplomas June 4. She was joined by classmates David Jacobsen and Dylan Stout during the ceremony, which was attended by a few dozen family members, school staff members and Washington state Sen. Val Stevens (R-Arlington).

Stevens gave the students’ commencement address.

“These are the times of uncertainty,” Stevens told the students. “Many are confused and unsettled. God is in control, but what is his plan for the future? Conventional knowledge is useless today.”

Stevens went on to discuss the underlying economic conditions that young people, including the three Arlington Christian graduates, will have to endure in order to succeed.

“We cannot adjust the wind, but we can change the sails,” Stevens said. “Young people — you can make it right. God bless you.”

In addition to Stevens’ and Martin’s speeches, Jacobsen ceremonially passed the baton to the class of 2010 — Arlington Christian junior Stephanie Mitchell.

The graduation commencement also featured music, video memories of the students and their benediction by Hank Raap, Board secretary and treasurer for the school.

Before graduation, each student had their own special area set up that included a place for ceremony attendees to write messages for graduates.

Martin had a poster board with photos of herself with friends, and the senior humored family and friends by posing near it for photos.

The commencement took place at Atonement Free Lutheran Church.

Arlington Christian School offers kindergarten through 12th grade programs.

“Whether you like it or not, you are a model to everyone (as a Christian),” said Martin, who had been at the school for eight years. “I’ve been trained with the tools to get through life.”