Meaning of a sentence ??

Hi~ What do you think of the meaning of the sentence underlined below?

My guesses are as follows:

1. They showed their unity as a group.

2. We could feel their power to do something.

3. In the past they were trouble makers.

Any idea would be welcomed and thanked~!

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The effects of such support became obvious to all members of our community. Surprising to some, although the Academy is the home to students that may have had significant discipline and academic challenges, students in this program currently hold the title of Regional Robotics Champions in the Tuscaloosa area as well as second place in the University of Alabama State Robotics competition. They were seen as a force. During this ompetition, they completed complex computer programs and synced them to their robots that they worked to build. “I just never thought I would be here doing this,” one student stated with great pride. To be there and to win was validation of what all of the adults that supported these students knew.