I think one of the things in the boys' favor is that they had true community. It sounds they they grew up on the same island. Were part of the same community. A

I think one of the things in the boys' favor is that they had true community. It sounds they they grew up on the same island. Were part of the same community. All went to the same Catholic school. From the mention of "Their days began and ended with song and prayer" along with the Catholic school, it also seems they were all religious. As much as we on HN like to think that logic and the rational mind is what makes people behave good, many times it is the subconscious ties of shared family, friendship, and faith that that help people pull together in times of crisis.