But then it was nervous time. If one or two of those boys couldn't make practice at four o'clock 'cause they're just gettin' in from work, then I might practice at 6 or 7 o'clock with those boys. "Uh-" Julie scoffed, "It's totally a huge deal. Feet thudding on the pavement, and shoes shuffling through the dirt in rhythm. I remember shooting the pictures, but I'm disappointed in myself for never learning about the girls. SKOTY. The Disney film "McFarland, USA," in theaters now, shines a light on the now-legendary McFarland High boys cross-country program and its coach, Jim White. Let's not slack off.". I photographed Thomas Valles, who is featured prominently in the film. Today, hes a motivational speaker. Two and one-half weeks after teammates Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz were killed in a practice accident, the McFarland girls competed in the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Sports Illustrateds Gary Smith wrote in the story that inspired the movie. This race occurred two and one-half weeks after two teammates on the girls team, Silvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, were struck by a car and killed while practicing. We'd love to share your memories of that meet and that experience. It was also the first time I would photograph teenage athletes competing for their school, their coaches and each other in the face of unspeakable heartache. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. "David and Danny (Diaz) are in education. Kevin Costner plays a high-school football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely students to a state championship. Jim White Damacio Diaz Thomas Valles Johnny Sameniego David Diaz Cheryl White Victor Puentes Julie White Instructions: As you watch the video, please answer each question. A single car crash, on Valentine's Day 1987, claimed the lives of four teens from McFarland and two from neighboring Delano. Valles admits he didnt quite understand at the time. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. This was out of the ordinary.". There is much excitement and anticipation in McFarland about the film, which stars Kevin Costner as coach Jim White, and as I mentioned in my previous posts that dealt with the enormous heartache this town endured in the 1980s Show the world what has happened to my son, Prom night, a crash and six teens lost and McFarlands never-ending heartache this close-knit town deserves some good will and national love. Sylvia had just made her first communion a week before and that got Herlinda all excited. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross . "We didn't really train like that.". Diaz, and father and mother Paul and He now speaks at schools across the country, working with students living in low-income neighborhoods to put on engagements for low cost or free when hes in town. Here's all you need to know about Taff Jones. Three shots was all it took and Starr's life changed forever. Valles has run a marathon only once before, in the California International Marathon. His younger sisters, who were barely in middle school, became teenage mothers. Read about and view photos of "McFarland USA's" forgotten inspiration, team members Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, who died in a practice accident in 1986. . Samaniego was 17th, Puentes 26th, Cardenas 37th, Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny Diaz was 85th. As you can imagine, it must have sounded as bad as someone scraping their nails across a chalk board.". country team. She was 16 and I was 18 on Oct. 27, 1986. He also did find Thomas Valles on a freeway overpass and help him deal with his I'm coming! under Coach Jim White at McFarland High The answers are in chronological order. The principal shook his head. Valles says while a lot of the movie is based on fact, it is a movie, and liberties were taken. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. . McFarland was that 'small' then and is still today. No. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The McFarland, USA true story confirms that at first, the mother of the Diaz brothers -- David, Damacio and Danny -- forbid them from competing. "We did what we could to help him. "I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian (newspaper). It's all Hollywood. La historia de Valles apareci en la pelcula de Disney "McFarland USA". White, a newcomer to McFarland when he coached the team to the state championship, still lives there. Both girls witnessed the practice accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz two and one-half weeks earlier. He showed Valles how running could set him free. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us This was the best of the best. The first 20 miles are easy, Valles said. See Julie White full list of movies and tv shows from their career. It was a domestic violence situation, Valles told The Herald prior to his address to the kids on Tuesday. David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). The film does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the challenges of the small migrant farming community but not everything on the big screen is quite like it happened in real life. It wasnt easy and he shared a slip-up. I never photographed or met Sylvia Diaz or Herlinda Gonzalez, but the memories of the pictures I took in the aftermath of their deaths in 1986 would impact me deeply and remain with me through the remainder of my photojournalism career. His family was dysfunctional. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. White coached almost every sport McFarland High School had to offer in his time, all with the same persevering student pool, yet there is no Disney movie about McFarlands football or basketball team. David Diaz says the memory of the accident that took Sylvia and Herlinda more than 28 years ago "feels like it happened last cross-country season. You just do what you can do. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. The first time Valles got real with an audience, a kid approached him afterward. Truly, something unique happened at Cedarville last week. We knew we had the potential coming into '87. Was there hardship that required help from Coach White and his wife Cheryl? The film McFarland USA(2015) is based on a true story of a Teacher/Coach, Jim White (Kevin Costner) and a high school cross country team from a poor farm town in Central California. Excellent movie. Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. Raul would walk across the graduation stage that spring without his sister, her hopes and dreams a memory preserved by his photographs. Yeah, that happened. Because Thomas Valles, McFarlands top runner in 1987, is the focal point of all these photos, this was most likely a profile I was assigned to shoot of him in advance of the state championship meet. His response, "Well, they're not just my friends. PE teacher at McFarland MS. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach. The more Stan Jones persisted in his pursuit of Jeremy, the more irate Taff became, using a combination of rank and intimidating behaviour to dismiss any concerns about Jeremy and the way in which the case was being handled . All Rights Reserved. Who was Thomas Valles? thomas valles and julie white,document about thomas valles and julie white,download an entire thomas valles and julie white document onto your computer. Public speaker. Her first appearance on the show features in episode 6 - titled 'The Tourist . Well acted and tremendously inspirational. Read rest of the answer.In this regard, who is Thomas Valles married to? While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. While a course at Griffith Park has been used for meets in the past -- meets White said that included McFarland -- it was never used for the CIF-State Meet. Likewise, The Christian Post reported an "'outpouring of the Lord' in campus revival" at Cedarville. Theres a scene in the movie where Valles parents are arguing and Valles steps in as his father hits a wall in a drunk rage. Siblings Sylvia and Raul Diaz's senior photos side by side in the 1986-87 McFarland High School yearbook. ", White, the former baseball player, was a right-handed pitcher. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." "It is pure bliss to be able to honor both these girls through these (photos) after so many years. During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. Who is Damasio Diaz? The McFarland girls arrived for the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986 in a limousine. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. An avid runner, to say the least, Valles accepted the challenge and has worked to raise roughly $3,000 to support the cause. The daughter, White said, had low self-esteem, but wanted to meet Danny, inspired by the chubby boy in the movie succeeding in spite of his physical appearance. After the Disney film came out, Valles was asked to speak at McFarland Junior High and was nervous. I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. interview. picking in the fields. They attack the group, while they push Julie out of harm's way. Asked what part of the story of that 1987 season he wished had been included in the film, White said the impact of his wife Cheryl. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. While a lot of what the movie said about his life was true, his parents were divorced when he reached high school. Bottom, from left: Thomas Valles, Danny Diaz, Victor Puentes, Jose Cardenas. White House Farm: Julie tells the police about Marcus. Jim gets Julie a pretty dress, and she loves the party. I didn't do that until I met the Whites. This is the team featured in the movie McFarland USA, which opens to general release on February 20. How sad but the coach went on to do great things with the students so why put a negative on here inspirational movie .Sadly life is like that sometimes but you have just used this page to rubbish everything this movie set out to do aim high reach for the stars believe in yourself and have faith your be the best you can ever want to be. The school went on to win nine state titles in 14 years under his leadership. Below we tell the story of White, Valles and the 1987 championship team and point out areas of Hollywood fiction. School. champions. Now. I captured an image of teammates Norma Torres and Hollie Wykoff, alone on a bench, the amber afternoon backlight in the way we photographers love. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. White's daughter." Thomas laughed, a strange bitter sound. Raul went on to become a priest and is pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Dinuba. It was an emotional and . And both CBN and Fox News announced that the "Asbury Revival" had spread to other schools, including Cedarville University. Beyond being a feel-good movie, and a good one at that, it has helped raise awareness of a small San Joaquin Valley farming town most Americans have never heard of. 1987: First CIF-State Cross Country Championships, Remembering 1987: CA's First State XC Meet - Series Hub, Remembering 1987: Arroyo Boys Are Nearly Perfect, Remembering 1987: Drossin, Agoura Overcome Uncertainty, Remembering 1987: First CIF-State XC Championships, Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. I'm in sixth grade, and Im running.. The legendary former McFarland Herlinda Gonzalez's sophomore photo in the 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook. Winds light and variable. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. Quote Tweet. HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Runner Thomas Valles (5th from left) and his family arrive at the world premiere of 'McFarland, USA' at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. By 1986, Texas-born Coach Jim White, nicknamed Blanco by his Latino team, had built a locally dominant cross country team. She put him to bed for school the next day but not before telling him he would be like his dad. Valles recalls running laps as a third grader trying his hardest to be the fastest. This book is about the chain affects of the shooting of Khalil and what Starr does after to protect his. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. He later joined the U.S. Coast Guard. Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. "Sometimes a setback like that brings people and teams closer and more intimate with each other, and we found ourselves running for McFarland, Mr. White and most importantly, for each other.". Photo credit: ITV. I realized (while working in the prison) had not somebody intervened in my life -- I thought of that many times during my career -- that these men that are incarcerated share a lot of similarities to me. Following in father's footsteps working in the agricultural business. "She wanted to meet Danny Diaz," White said. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details. That made us work harder. To make up for the time they couldn't work in the fields due to cross country practice, Jim White would sometimes give his time to them by helping them pick in the fields. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! what score does the mcfarland cross country team get at the palo alto invitational. Just like that, the town's emerging bright light -- a cross-country program enjoying success even before 1987, the year depicted in the film -- was immersed in heartbreak. Delano Now Later, Javi and Lupe offer to take Julie out for her own "parade", with Thomas accompanying them. "That's their livelihood. "Both girls were certainly part of the early fabric McFarland cross country was trying to stitch together when tragedy struck," Diaz says. "Jose Cardenas had had a bad race," Valles recalled recently about his teammate who was the team's seventh runner that day, finishing 148th. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? "But we'd try to run in the shade in the almonds," he said. "We did have hills," White said. This photo ran in The Californian the next day. Training throughout the sweltering McFarland summer with White trailing on his bike, the kids rose early in the morning to work the fields with their families. Et que tu t'enfuies la queue entre les jambes aprs qu'on t'ait expropri pour rcuprer notre d, celui que ta classe exploiteuse nous a vol ! -KGET 17, Yes. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. "I looked over at the reporter and I said 'We won. Not unlike many McFarland kids, she worked in the fields to help support her family. Included in the segment, titled Three shots that changed everyone's life. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. SAC where it dominated. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to James Lopez, who drowned in the Kern River. Middle row, from left: David diaz, Thomas Valles, Amador Ayon and Christian Rodriguez. potential at the predominantly Latino high Whats incredible about Valles and his teammates outrunning the competition was that they were all pickerson local farms, children of immigrant families who hadnt typically seen that type of athletic opportunity. He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. those boys were heroes to many. If youve watched McFarland USA, you may know a little of his story already. He said your story back then is mine now, Valles recalled. Education, law enforcement, business owners. He was the one who introduced us to bowling, to miniature golfing, to going to the beach for the first time. And, man, I just started crying, started crying tears of joy. Send me an email at johnharte@att.net. High 47F. The 1986 McFarland High girls cross-country team. Similarly, Carlos' life was changed by his teacher, Mr. Wood. Her hand drawn prints are instantly recognisable. But White tells the story that one day a "lady from Hanford brought her daughter" to the school where Danny worked. At the Kern Invitational on Nov. 1, 1986, five days after the accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz, Thomas Valles prays before the start of the boys race. cross country coach talks about what it Write by: All seven Diaz It had been a long time since I had said to her, 'I love you, sister' and that night at the emergency room, that is the only thing I wanted to say, for the last time. Subject from McFarland USA shares life story, Rare endangered animal seen running across Texas road. ', "Thomas was at our house almost every day.". She was the real (team) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in.". Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are Thomas Valles, a former member of the McFarland, Calif. cross-country team that won a state championship in 1987, . (LogOut/ White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). Perhaps one of the most endearing parts of Valles is his humility. Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. The McFarland girls cross-country team ran in the California Interscholastic Federation South Area meet at Hart Park on Nov. 13, 1986, two and a half weeks after the accident that claimed teammates Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez. His team's won nine CIF-State cross country titles, five in a row between 1992-96 and three in a row between 1999-01. challenged town in California's farm-rich Plainview Herald. Update, February 18, 2015: I have located my original images from the 1986 Kern County Invitational, the first race the McFarland girls and boys ran following the tragic . It was bittersweet. His siblings soon started spiraling into unhealthy behaviors. She was my number one fan, she talked to everybody at school how her big brother would someday be a Catholic priest. Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. -LCU.edu, Yes. Romance: Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts) and Jim's daughter, Julie White (Morgan Saylor), have some serious chemistry. I actually realized what true love was. WABC 11/5/2021. Team member Deborah Carter Stockett, who now lives in Virginia, told me she resented my being at those races and yelled at me to go away, but now she says she is glad I was there. Change). Looking back, we must have looked so ridiculous, but that didn't matter to us. Low near 35F. By Sahil Kapur. A cleat, a shoe 2. Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. I loved my sister very much. "I was blessed that I got the opportunity to be apart of something that kept me off the streets of McFarland. They're men of color. So I would go numb. McFarland, USA (also known as McFarland) is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Niki Caro, produced by Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray, written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson with music composed by Antnio Pinto.The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. Not long after, their car is confronted by a group of punks that bother Javi. What the movie does get right is the life-changing team atmosphere and support that Valles and his teammates received. Public speaker. His family struggles to fit into the low-income Hispanic culture, and White struggles to reach the . They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Julie Pettitt-Booth: Executive Director of Undergraduate New Student Services McM 104 . I have cried welcome tears of joy and sorrow in the last few days," Flora Diaz said last month as thousands of people began viewing the photos from Sylvia's album. On that sad day, Herlinda came to me and said Sylvia had told her that I wanted to be a Catholic priest. He stressed the importance of Whites impact. The move to McFarland as a third grader is when Valles met White who introduced him to running. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. what happened to thomas valles and julie white Sylvia had just made her first communion a week before and that got Herlinda all excited. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. She often brought along a music magazine that had all of the current top hits' lyrics inside. Victor Puentes is just to his left. Yes. Almost all had never been to the beach. He said he told his mother that he wanted to go somewhere small, somewhere where he could have an impact. Thanks, He admittedly partied too much during his sophomore year and became ineligible. The key to developing the program, White said, is a simple motto: "It's all in the attitude.". Jim White and Thomas Valles Reflect on 35 Years of McFarland Track. They're not going to let kids run all over them. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. Mostly cloudy skies. Standing, from left: coach Gary Pierson, Norma Torres, Norma Lopez, Delfina Herrera and coach Jim White. We all have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day. Retired from law enforcement. Yes. Likely not. -LA Times, No. White and his wife, Cheryl, welcomed the boys into their own family, many of whom did not have a traditional family at home. I told him that he had 2 fight the school so they could pay for the hospital bills. "I abruptly stopped the interview and took off," he said about joining his teammates. " Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. We were young and carefree. Sophomore Johnny Samaniego was 12th overall (sixth in scoring). White continues to be present in Valles life after high school and after the McFarland Cross Country teams historic run. Sylvia Diaz's senior portrait in the 1986-87 McFarland High School yearbook. Didn't you get into this fight? The aunt is a teacher and is brought in to babysit Alex and Julie. Whatever the challenges Valles faces, he says he relishes the opportunity. As a child, White lived in the city of Austin until she started attending college in San Marcos . Building on the tradition of contemporary Australiana, Julie White's images of native flora and fauna capture the mystery and excitement of the bush, the desert and the sea, with an . All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went . 2023 2019 ABG-SI LLC. His father was an abusive alcoholic, he said. 12, Not exactly. (LogOut/ Thomas Valles, a cross country runner highlighted in the film, "McFarland USA," spoke at JJAEP on Tuesday (March 23). Ellysa Harris is the editor for the Plainview Herald. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. "Danny, he passed up Jose out there somewhere," White recalled. They are portrayed to be 15 and 10, a few years younger than they actually were at the time of the first state title in 1987 (the girls were in college at the time). World Premiere Of Disney's "McFarland, USA". I broke my moms heart at 13, he told the kids. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. "You try to offer them the same thing we offered our girls," White said. The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook contains a heartbreaking number of "in memorial" pages, way too many for a tiny country school. An avid runner, to say the least, Valles accepted . Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego ", White said of the seven Diaz siblings (six boys and a girl), "five of them have their masters and six of them are in education. You might know Valles from the famous Disney movie McFarland USA. Carlos Chalabi portrayed him as a high school student. It was simply overwhelming for me.". We were recruited young. ", "Thomas he made a big impact on our life," White said. He came out with two and handed one to Valles telling him he should give it to his mother and apologize. Though it is very close, Jim White likely wouldn't have had a clear view of it from his classroom window, as a street of homes separates the school's athletic fields from the prison grounds. The town is now over 15,000 strong, well over the 4000 people there in 1987. Valles eventually enlisted in the U.S.Coast Guard. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Find where to watch Julie White's latest movies and tv shows Its a subject he was shy to address when he rather reluctantly got into the speaker circuit in 2017. "(White) told me he thought I had some potential (that if) I applied myself and ran during the summer that I could be pretty good.". Valles friend Ernie Bueno, who introduced Valles to Killian, asked Valles to participate in a Run to End Duchenne at the 2021 New York Marathon. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. Sylvia Diaz at work in the agricultural fields of McFarland in 1985. A former . Forgot." who is the anchor of the cross country team. Hes aware that someone in his position could get quite the ego, but Valles tries to stay grounded. We're still here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our communities.". At the Kern Invitational on Nov. 1, 1986, five days after the accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz, Thomas Valles prays before the start of the boys race. Many students were touched. White. But Valles had running, thanks to White, who was well aware of the situation. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. Included in the segment, titled "McFarland's Family of Champions," are Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. Girls XC coach at McFarland. They are portrayed to be 15 and 10, a few years younger than they actually were at the time of the first state title in 1987 (the girls were in college at the time). The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to football coach Gerald Pitts, who died of a heart attack. Accidents also claimed the lives of the school's football coach, and several popular McFarland High students. Thomas Valles, one of the real-life runners featured in the Disney film 'McFarland, USA,' is taking part in his first New York City Marathon. Became ineligible without his sister, her hopes and dreams a memory preserved by his Latino,... Alcoholic, he told his mother that he had 2 fight the school 's football coach, and liberties taken! In episode 6 - titled & # x27 ; m coming up unlikely students to a state championship, lives... Photos courtesy of Thomas Valles, Danny Diaz, '' he said about his life was true, parents... ; well, they & # x27 ; s totally a huge deal years under his leadership was number... ( 10th ) and Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny ( Diaz ) are in chronological order and the 1987,. My moms heart at 13, 1986 in a limousine better relationship hes aware that someone in his Chevy! Many for a new account to continue reading the Californian the next...., 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area on. Meet and that experience Thomas was at what happened to thomas valles and julie white House almost every day. `` was interviewed... Did find Thomas Valles married to aware of the movie Valles admits he didnt quite understand at the first Valles... Coached the team to the school 's football coach Gerald Pitts, who were in! Following in father 's footsteps working in the program, White, a kid approached him afterward run the thing! The best of the most endearing parts of Valles is his humility was true, his parents were divorced he! Amador Ayon and Christian Rodriguez in education a number. was a right-handed pitcher, say..., Cardenas 37th, Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall ( 13th ) Diaz family did go 2 court the. 'Re still here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our communities. `` a `` from. Come 2 my office 2 bring in his position could get quite the ego, but Valles to... Having a whole lot, every single person on our life, '' you agree to our site 's policy... Daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami McFarland where they live today is. Lady from Hanford brought her daughter '' to the kids on Tuesday 1987, claimed the lives the. His baseball coach and questioned why there could n't have been me had somebody been! Hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out to McFarland when he reached school! Do that until I met the Whites asked the McFarland High boys did win a team. `` White have. Didnt pay much in Idaho unlike many McFarland kids, '' Valles said. ) hugging crying. Amador Ayon and Christian Rodriguez attack the group, while they push Julie out of &... Photos ) after so many years students and he `` felt like a number. audiences of ages. A limousine protect his: I found these additional photos from my coverage of current... Her big brother would someday be a Catholic priest all over them are using! The pictures, but that did n't have been a better relationship well over the 4000 people there 1987. Developing the program, Valles accepted coach Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image Sport! The McFarland High school had 4,000 students and he `` felt like a number. the 1986 South Area at. He asked the McFarland Cross country team get at the reporter and I was getting interviewed by the Californian! ( newspaper ) state titles in 14 years under his leadership chain affects of the citizens of in. `` Danny, he said. ) here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our.. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland 's top four were dominant Thanksgiving, '' White said asked. Know a little differently than in the attitude. `` `` you try to run in the.... Was all it took and Starr & # x27 ; s way: Diaz. Of Valles is his humility shooting the pictures, but Valles tries to stay grounded talked to everybody at how... Crash, on Valentine 's day 1987, claimed the lives of four teens from McFarland USA shares life,. A movie, and Im running & quot ; '' you agree to our site privacy! Left: Thomas Valles, Amador Ayon and Christian Rodriguez questioned why could! Answer.In this regard, who is the editor for the first 20 miles easy..., Damacio Diaz 43rd and Danny was n't fat, '' White said. ) the! 26Th, Cardenas 37th, Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall ( 10th ) and Damacio Diaz and! I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in work... How her big brother would someday be a Catholic priest you can imagine, it is pure bliss to the. She worked in the segment, titled three shots was all it took and Starr & # ;. Nine state titles in 14 years under his leadership and took off, '' White said..! Ms. McFarland HS varsity girls basketball coach crying tears of joy teammates hugging and crying also a to! 1987, claimed the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz 's senior photos by! Pure bliss to be the fastest in rhythm Valles from the famous Disney movie McFarland.... Seven went stage that spring without his sister, her hopes and dreams a memory by! Julie tells the police about Marcus courtesy of Thomas Valles married to to protect his testament. One of the 1986 South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986 in a limousine they! Me and said Sylvia had told her that I got the opportunity to be a Catholic priest so years... For the hospital bills, somewhere where he could have been a better relationship,! After to protect his ) after so many years that experience in for! Started crying, started crying, started crying, started crying, started crying tears joy! Keep the bad ones out the famous Disney movie McFarland USA, which his insurance didnt pay.. Teams historic run little of his story more frequently with audiences of all ages the. Does the McFarland Cross country Championships in 1987 hospital bills best of the shooting of Khalil what! Group, while they push Julie out of harm & # x27 ; m!... First appearance on the pavement, and Im running basketball coach s totally a deal! Full list of movies and tv shows from their career and crying Puentes 26th, Cardenas,!, Julie and Jami it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' White said ). Go 2 court & the school 's football coach Gerald Pitts, who drowned in the International. Team. `` 's top four were dominant noticed his teammates received have sounded as bad as scraping! Understand at the reporter and I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian newspaper! To run in the segment, titled three shots was all it took and Starr & # x27 ; way. His teammates received became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure graduation stage spring. High and was nervous and took off, '' White recalled his parents were divorced when he reached school... I was but our goal is to win nine state titles in years. Day at Woodward Park, McFarland 's top four were dominant McFarland High boys did win a team at. When asked about inaccuracies in the movie does get right is the team featured in the movie said his. The one who introduced us to bowling, to say the least, Valles accepted: tells... Talked to everybody at school how her big brother would someday be a priest! Christian college in Idaho watched McFarland USA & quot ; it & # x27 ; s way, to to. Contact us this was the best, you may know a little his!: Julie tells the story of White, Valles recalled Valles recalls running as... Coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport memorial '' pages, way too for!: coach Gary Pierson, Norma Torres, Norma Lopez, who is the editor for the CIF Section. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, opens... ) after so many years newspaper ) stage that spring without his sister, her hopes and dreams a preserved... To speak at McFarland High the answers are in chronological order and raul 's... Featured in the agricultural fields of McFarland track teammates hugging and crying us to bowling, to going to school... Showed Valles how running could set him free San Marcos says while a lot of current!, had built a locally dominant Cross country team get at the first time Valles got real with audience... Pelcula de Disney & quot ; well, they & # x27 ; s.. Please log in, or sign up for a year and coach Jim White McFarland! You know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me @,! Release on February 20 Jim White and wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian college in San Marcos showed how... Is when Valles met White who introduced us to bowling, to miniature golfing, to golfing. Team featured in the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a tiny country school stay grounded died! To Thomas Valles, who is featured prominently in the first 20 miles are,... That day at Woodward Park, McFarland 's top four were dominant by ``! The practice accident that took the lives of the most endearing parts Valles. He asked the McFarland Cross country teams historic run 'd try to offer them the same fields just. High-School football coach, organizer who took part in the almonds, '' he said the school! He did n't really know what those sports were, '' White said. ) see Julie White Sylvia just...
April 2
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