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. went on to college. Sometimes [our success is] a hindrance because the kids say, Well, I can't do that, or I can't be as good as this person or that person, coach White explains. I want to tell the story of Sylvia and Herlinda because, based on what I witnessed in 1986, a complete story of McFarland High's inspiring cross-country legacy cannot be told without including Sylvia, Herlinda and the girls team. The film also shows a chubby runner named Danny Diaz rallying late to secure the team title. 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. Did the boys have to get up with the sun to work in the fields only to return later in the day to train there? on their time as cross country runners Middle row, from left: David diaz, Thomas Valles, Amador Ayon and Christian Rodriguez. But the character of the town started changing, as coach White built success. He promised to take him places away from McFarland, California. White, a newcomer to McFarland when he coached the team to the state championship, still lives there. My parents always encouraged us to work hard.. 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. I had positive people in my life through sport, Valles said. Thank you for reading! -KGET 17. Cross country is an individual sport; no matter how well your team does, you still have your own time. 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. Many students were touched. Here's all you need to know about Taff Jones. Johnny is an educator and is still coaching. "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. Like a scene from the movie, he found himself at a bridge on the highway one night when hed had enough. I have never forgotten what it was like covering 1980s McFarland, from the image of those girls posing in front of the limousine and trying to look happy to the night one year later when Ernesto Bravo saw me photographing his 14-year-old son, Mario, in his casket, the town's sixth cancer victim. Sergeant First Class - United States Army. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. Stationed at Soledad and living in Salinas, he applied to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitationto fulfill his dream in law enforcement. Yes. She was 16 and I was 18 on Oct. 27, 1986. Sylvia was pronounced dead at Delano Regional Medical Center; Herlinda died the following day. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went . 2023 2019 ABG-SI LLC. He later taught woodshop and physical education. Upset that his wife put him in jail, he got out and filed for divorce. Thomas Valles is a McFarland legend who was at the forefront of the 1987 championship team and now coaches the girls cross country team at McFarland high school and will be participating in the 50th annual New York City Marathon. But the depiction of him in the film prompted him to make a t-shirt showing him as he actually was: "This is the real Danny Diaz.". 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. : The actress is best known for her role as Lulu Hogg, the wife of Boss Hogg, on the classic "Dukes of Hazzard." She was also on "The Waltons" and "Step by Step." "Grace Under Fire" would be her last acting job as she retired after the show's cancellation and passed away on February 5, 2011, at the age of 89. You might know Valles from the famous Disney movie "McFarland USA." Carlos Chalabi portrayed him as a high school student. "I was blessed that I got the opportunity to be apart of something that kept me off the streets of McFarland. on In McFarland, cross-country coach, Jim White, changes the course of Thomas' life when he introduces him to running. "Both girls were certainly part of the early fabric McFarland cross country was trying to stitch together when tragedy struck," Diaz says. And both CBN and Fox News announced that the "Asbury Revival" had spread to other schools, including Cedarville University. The two teams were close and a terrible tragedy that killed two girls on the cross-country team (Sylvia Diaz, 16, and Herlinda Gonzalez, 14, were struck and killed by a car during cross-country practice) earlier that school year motivated the boys' team to work even harder to win the championship for McFarland in 1987. Hes excited about the opportunity to run again and do it for a cause. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. By "She might hate me now. She was the real (team) mother hugging their sweaty bodies when they came in.". 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. Tu cuenta de Descarga previa (EZA) se mantendr vigente durante un ao. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. 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 ! . We're still here hopefully trying to make a positive difference in our communities.". Dolores Plata is sitting on the grass. They were requested by People Magazine. Three shots was all it took and Starr's life changed forever. I didn't do that until I met the Whites. He was no fan of homework and was diagnosed with dyslexia creating some additional learning challenges at school but he was motivated to run and to travel. This is the team featured in the movie McFarland USA, which opens to general release on February 20. The photo was taken with Raul's camera by a teammate. McFarland runners, from left: Delfina Herrera, Hollie Wykoff, Tammy Carter, Alicia Herrera and Norma Torres. E-7Sergeant First Class - United States Army. 5. Yes. "That's their livelihood. who does coach white see sitting on the edge of the bridge. "The best part wasn't winning a state championship or winning medals," Valles said, "it's what we did afterward, our education, our careers, my family. DMCA NoticesNewspaper web site content management software and services. That's the legacy I see with that time. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. I grew up in a house with domestic violence, and I didnt feel compelled to share, he said. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. The movie downplayed the circumstances in which Valles grew up. What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. "Niki Caro wanted to show more family in the movie so they chose me," says the real David Diaz, who actually graduated during the school year before the first state title win. it's not all true but he's okay with that. Added Cheryl: "With him being a pitcher, he would have been straight on.". There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. This was out of the ordinary.". By Sahil Kapur. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. Though Sylvia and Herlinda and the rest of the girls team are omitted in the recent media publicity generated by "McFarland, USA," they've never been forgotten by their teammates or their home town. Fun was all that was on our minds. 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. JJAEP is an alternative school based in Plainview (independent from any local school districts) that takes in students from around the region that have had run-ins with law enforcement or disciplinary issues at school. "I abruptly stopped the interview and took off," he said about joining his teammates. " Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 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. Privacy Policy Mostly cloudy skies. Disney took a few creative liberties with creating the feature film, Valles said. 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. ", White, the former baseball player, was a right-handed pitcher. It was tough growing up in McFarland.". Education, law enforcement, business owners. Hollie Wykoff and Alicia Herrera, right, raced in the CIF Central Section South Area meet at Hart Park on Nov. 13, 1986. While Hollywood fictionalized the story, Blanco developed a real dynasty in high school cross country.. The town had two places to go to jail and nine places to go to eat, Sports Illustrateds Gary Smith wrote in the story that inspired the movie. His family struggles to fit into the low-income Hispanic culture, and White struggles to reach the . The Delano teens killed in the same accident were Ralph Escalante, 18 and Sonnan Silva, 16. Quote Tweet. That was the true beginning of the program's championship run to eight more titles. You guys actually-" Stacy covered her friend's mouth with one hand, and used the other to hold up a finger to her own lips. visual effects editor: shade vfx Charles Baden . -BakersfieldCalifornian.com, Yes. Juanita Diaz. Bottom row, from left: Herlinda Gonzalez, Delfina Herrera, Sylvia Diaz, Gabby Perez, Dolores Plata, Magda Saragoza, Norma Lopez and Raul Diaz. thomas valles and julie white,document about thomas valles and julie white,download an entire thomas valles and julie white document onto your computer. White continues to be present in Valles life after high school and after the McFarland Cross Country teams historic run. Through his work speaking, hes made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country meets for kids hes met. Later, Javi and Lupe offer to take Julie out for her own "parade", with Thomas accompanying them. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. -LA Times, No. Kalynn White: ASC Operations Coordinator . The photographs were taken primarily by her brother, Raul Diaz, on his 35-millimeter camera and shared by her younger sister, Flora Diaz. His older brothers started getting mixed in the wrong crowds and experimenting with drugs. 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