Cool Kid Drew Mendonca's determination to succeed knows no bounds

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- Our ABC7 Cool Kid for Thursday, Feb. 5 is Drew Mendonca, who knows what it means to lead by example. There is no limit to what he, or anyone else can do, no matter what their circumstances.

"I like seeing them turn into a kid that's off the street and he's just a horrible kid turned into one of the best kids in the school," Mendonca said.

Mendonca works with kids as a volunteer with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets and the Riverside police explorers. And he's not just a volunteer: Mendonca is a petty officer with the cadets and a corporal with the explorers.

Being diagnosed with autism hasn't held him back.

"(Mendonca)" knows who he is and he's worked really hard at overcoming what in other people might be limitations. But in him they're not limitations at all," said Sergio Diaz."

Mendonca is aware of the influence and the impact he can have on these kids, and it's a responsibility he takes seriously.

"Kind of puts you in awe thinking I turned this kid who was on the streets, probably would have got into drugs and a gang, to a well-balanced person in society, getting straight A's, and eventually he'll go on to college and do bigger and better things," Mendonca said.

For Mendonca, the future is shining brightly.

"After I graduate, I'd probably take two years of physics and apply for the Naval Academy and go there and get my degree in physics or engineering," he said.

Mendonca is a Cool Kid who is a leader in action and example.