They are New London kids: born here, raised here, educated here. They are New London kids: diverse, tolerant, stout. And now they're about to attend college here — together — too.

And so while Coast Guard Academy makes national news this week with the 45th president's impending visit, the more worthwhile story of the spring at the Academy is the recent acceptance of Maylis Yepez, Nate Skrabacz and Trent Robledo Thompson, three kids from town who are signed and sealed to attend the local military hamlet by the Thames.

That's right: Three New London kids will attend Coast Guard in the fall, more evidence of the school system's noteworthy progress.

"All three of us attended the AIM (Academy Introduction Mission) program last summer. It simulates boot camp conditions," Yepez, a drum major, tennis player and cheerleader, was saying one day last week. "We got to do it together. At the end of the program we were so excited. It was absolutely trying. But we loved every aspect of it. Trent said, 'Wouldn't it be cool if the three of us are standing together next year wearing our uniforms?'"

Get the cameras ready.

Yepez, Skrabacz and Robledo Thompson have their stories. Yepez's mom and stepfather have ties to the Navy. Skrabacz, an ROTC member as well as cross country/track/baseball kid, grew up with a family that has sponsored three Coast Guard cadets he still calls "big brothers." And Robledo Thompson, a football player, has been inspired by family friend Pat Hanrahan (a New London native who graduates from Coast Guard this week) and his time in the SPIL (Science Partnership for Innovation in Learning) program, experiencing Academy life through plasma physics with Commander Royce James.

Yet what they truly share is the educational background from the town's elementary schools, middle school and now high school. Beat up New London schools all you want. This story is about three regular kids and all the staff, teachers and administrators whose good work is too often ignored.

Because do you know how hard it is to gain admission to Coast Guard?

Yepez: "The education New London public schools offer us is unlike any other. They extend beyond the classroom. They make sure you are developing other skills — presentation skills, interpersonal skills — and they teach you about what type of person you want to be. The environment New London creates cultivates collaboration and critical thinking."

Skrabacz: "I've attended New London public schools my whole life. My take on education is this: It's what you make of it. You could have a bad teacher or an amazing teacher. You could do great with a bad teacher or tank with an amazing one. It's all about your effort. I've had a lot of great teachers in elementary school, middle school and now at STEM (the Science and Technology Magnet High School). Lots of great relationships."

Robledo Thompson: "A big thing about the city is the diversity. It's a big part of the education we get. We cherish it and value it. I think it's also something Coast Guard is looking for. I wrote about it a lot in my essay. Also, the staff and teachers in elementary, middle and high school have been amazing."

This story also speaks to Coast Guard's willingness to immerse itself in its home city. Yepez, Skrabacz and Robledo Thompson all mentioned a welcoming vibe, suggesting that Coast Guard — unlike, perhaps, its collegial cohort across the street — understands the concept of community.

Yepez, for example, enjoyed the annual "New London Day" at a Coast Guard football game, incorporating kids from the city with Academy life. (She got to play in the band with the Windjammers.) Skrabacz chuckled at the idea that some of the cadets his family has sponsored have changed his diapers.

"Kind of embarrassing," he said. "But for a long time, I've known how cool the people are there. Community is important to Coast Guard and I think having the three of us go there is a great way to show it."

Indeed.

"I feel at home there," Robledo Thompson said. "It's pretty cool to go to school and defend your country at the same time. And when it's over, it's like getting a degree from an Ivy League school."

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro