Cool Kid Nicholas McCabe helps others stay afloat

SAN PEDRO, Calif. (KABC) -- Our ABC7 Cool Kid for Thursday, Aug. 28, is Nicholas McCabe, who has found a way to help other students stay afloat when things get tough, and he's bringing firsthand experience to the table.

McCabe was a student who was not headed in the right direction. Then, he joined the TopSail Youth Program of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute.

"It taught me how to rearrange my schedules, how to prioritize stuff, how to actually get my homework done, how to be able to present stuff in class," McCabe said. "This place taught me a lot of people skills actually."

In addition to seeing his school work improve, McCabe became a valuable member of the crew.

"He was really my right-hand man, helped tons with docking, helps call sail, and he's really a leader to his peers in the youth crew," captain Jill Hughes said.

Now, McCabe is working with other underserved students who are in the program. For them, he wants to serve a new role as a teacher.

"To pass on the knowledge I know to someone who I used to be, someone in my position which I would love to help any day," McCabe said.

The lessons he has learned are the ones he wants to teach those who follow him.

"When you actually realize that you have to go somewhere in life and you're going to be an adult soon, you have to learn certain skills and have certain knowledge you need to succeed and live," McCabe said.

Sometimes life can take a young person through some rough times. McCabe is doing his best to show them the road to smooth sailing.