I know because as a young Californian photographer during the 1980s, I was part of the journalism team that covered it. 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. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. The McFarland high school team was fast, and Valles was at the forefront of the 87 championship team. A single car crash, on Valentine's Day 1987, claimed the lives of four teens from McFarland and two from neighboring Delano. It soon became a dominant program among small schools in Northern California. WABC 11/5/2021. 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. But Coach White led his boys to running and running beckoned them past the lines that lay before them. Valles, his coach Jim White, and six teammates were the CIF California State Cross Country Champions in 1987. As a child, White lived in the city of Austin until she started attending college in San Marcos . While the Disney film "McFarland USA" depicts the inspirational story of the team and . Taff Jones initially suspected that Sheila Caffell had killed her family before taking her own life (Photo: ITV) Nothing shows that sense of unity better than images lovingly preserved in Sylvia's photo album of a visit to the beach depicted in the film. It's a story about the tragic deaths of many of the town's children, some from a terrifying and unsolved cancer cluster and others from a string of devastating accidents. Valles eventually enlisted in the U.S.Coast Guard. The photo was taken with Raul's camera by a teammate. As Valles wrapped his speech to the kids, he encouraged them to take steps toward reaching their goals by getting an education, going into a trade or joining the military. The aunt is a teacher and is brought in to babysit Alex and Julie. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. what score does the mcfarland cross country team get at the palo alto invitational. 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. inspired to strive for something beyond "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.". In this photo likely shot by a teammate with Raul Diaz's camera, the McFarland boys and girls cross-country teams pose on the beach at Cayucos after coach Jim White made an impromptu stop following the Santa Maria Invitational in 1985. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. . He got drunk one day with some senior teammates after practice. Immediately after the race, Valles said he was taken with a group of top finishers for awards and media but didn't know if the team had actually won. Sylvia Diaz's cherished team photo from the day of the beach trip in 1985 shot with her brother Raul's camera likely by a coach. 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. 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. "Neither did I throw that shoe at that young man. Valles was a star on the team and is the primary runner featured in the film "McFarland, USA.". who is the anchor of the cross country team. Low near 35F. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details. We treated them just like our kids. " 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. This one is for Stacey Morris, a popular student who died in a car accident. He encouraged the kids to find their own mentor. When I say Mr. White became my father figure and Mrs. White became my mother figure. The disciplinarian was out of the house, Valles said. Flora Diaz, now a teacher at Pixley Middle School, was 11 when Sylvia died. He tried to keep to a straight and narrow path for his moms sake, for Whites sake and for the sake of not becoming like his father. Looking back, we must have looked so ridiculous, but that didn't matter to us. ", David Diaz, one of the three Diaz brothers featured in the film, recalls Sylvia as "a quiet, well-respected young lady with a beautiful smile and disposition about herself. She was on the 1985 team and became a cheerleader in 1986, but her teammates wanted her in this photo. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. That day at Woodward Park, McFarland's top four were dominant. Almost all had never been to the beach. Through his work speaking, hes made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country meets for kids hes met. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. But his dream would be realized. Cross country is an individual sport; no matter how well your team does, you still have your own time. 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 ! Desperate for work, he moves his wife (Maria Bello) and daughters (Morgan Saylor . It's all Hollywood. Its a town that draws in running teams from across the country for motivational talks, and its a town that knows champions can be made there. Bravo told me, "Show the world what has happened to my son.". They came back. Well, yeah, that happened. But it was too late. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. Photos: Apocalyptic skies hung over Texas panhandle Monday. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. A particularly poignant photograph shows Sylvia and Raul, Delfina Herrera and Herlinda holding up her index finger, showing off the "MHS #1" she has just scrawled in the sand at Cayucos. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Sylvia Diaz at work in the agricultural fields of McFarland in 1985. Julie White plays the character of Maggie Shaw. Write by: White has lived in McFarland ever since. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Excellent, no trash or language. In seventh grade, Valles said his PE teacher (White) introduced himself and said he coached cross country and track. Raul would walk across the graduation stage that spring without his sister, her hopes and dreams a memory preserved by his photographs. Public speaker. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. But then it was nervous time. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. He also did find Thomas Valles on a freeway overpass and help him deal with his I'm coming! . Visit johnhartephoto.wordpress.com to see John's McFarland cross-country photos following the deaths of Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, plus his photos of the real athletes depicted in the film "McFarland, USA. 5, was not in the picture. school and decides to put together a cross josecardenas; coachwhite; jimwhite +15 more # 3. yours - thomas valles x . Terms in this set (31) Who was Danny Diaz? As he settled into his new home, he maintained the life of a homebody. Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). On occasion, he said, the boys would have to work in the fields on a Saturday morning before going off to a meet that afternoon. Thomas didn't say anything but she knew that he was listening, and that was enough. Coach White is a graduate of Pepperdine University, . 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. They're my brothers.. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . He also said he didn't have a relationship with his baseball coach and questioned why there couldn't have been a better relationship. They worked hard. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. "Sylvia and I were seniors because my parents placed us in the same grade when we were in fourth grade because they wanted me to walk with her to school. Victor Puentes is just to his left. Grandchildren to see this wonderful film. She began going through her sister's photo album as interest in McFarland increased in advance of the film's release. He was more than a coach. The program, which is run by Eddie Subealdea, chief juvenile probation officer for Hale County, is an alternative placement program. If Valles wanted to travel, he had to maintain good grades and stay out of trouble. Thirty minutes later, they were hit by a vehicle on Whisler Road. They were requested by People Magazine. McFarland also had a superb girls' cross-country team. His father is a picker who leaves for long stretches of time, coming home to drink and cause trouble within the family. They talk about being By Carlo Vellandi Nov 22, 2022. This is a carousel. His first teaching position in the district was instructing fifth grade science, which he did for nine years. Brief Version. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." Runner Thomas Valles and his family arrive at the world premiere of 'McFarland, USA' at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. He says that This is the team featured in the movie McFarland USA, which opens to general release on February 20. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! I want all of my. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. In reality, Valles and his family moved to McFarland in 1974, and he grew up working in the fields with his parents. I'm getting goosebumps now. Julie White Born Julie K. White June 4, 1961 San Diego, California, U.S. Danny's brother. (He had a) poor relationship with dad. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. Friends remember Herlinda as bright and outgoing. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. MileSplit California Editor: 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. ", "That was Hollywood," Valles said. 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. He was named an all-state athlete in his freshman year. An avid runner, to say the least, Valles accepted . Now more than 30 years later, he knows he disappointed her and White. Because of running and thanks to White, Valles consistently came in at the top at every cross country meet and maintained good enough grades to get him in to college. Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a coach stepped in and changed his life. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel -KGET 17. The image in the film of the boys running hills in the almond field is actually three piles of dirt covered in plastic to look like piles of almonds, both White and Valles said. . A mass of athletes, competing in the purest level of competition racing. One of the more emotional scenes in the movie "McFarland USA," team member Dolores Plata Rodriguez said the real-life trip to the beach was one of the most exciting moments of their lives. 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 didn't do that until I met the Whites. "God, she had such a great laugh. "I abruptly stopped the interview and took off," he said about joining his teammates. " Durning the season, the boys are not supposed to play basketball. On Sunday, Valles, a former Salinas resident who now lives in McFarland and coaches girls cross country at McFarland High School, will participate in the 50th annual NYC Marathon. Here was the star runner, just a kid, bringing his hands to his face in prayer and keeping them there for what seemed an eternity before the start of his race. This was the best of the best. "David and Danny (Diaz) are in education. March 29, 2022, 12:48 PM PDT. We became a real family, and we're still family.. These photos, by the way, are from the California Southern Area meet held at Hart Park in Bakersfield, probably November 1987, and if I remember correctly, it is the meet before the California Interscholastic Federation section championship and the California state championship, which the team went on to win, and is a focus of the film. Read rest of the answer.In this regard, who is Thomas Valles married to? "I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian (newspaper). No. Three shots was all it took and Starr's life changed forever. Herlinda said that was cool. Terms of Use 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. I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". Very good moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. If he wasnt at school, Valles was expected to be at home or in the fields helping his dad. potential at the predominantly Latino high Julie K. White (born June 4, 1961) is an American actress. Raul Diaz is now Father Raul Diaz, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Dinuba. His marathon goal falls in line with the releaseof McFarland USA on Disney+ last month. 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. We'd love to share your memories of that meet and that experience. My most memorable moments with her were the bus rides to away races. ", "It was a great accomplishment," White said. All three girls graduated with degrees in education from Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas; Tami in 1985, Julie in 1988, and Jami in 1991. At one of our races, Sylvia was trying to teach us this dance move. The school went on to win nine state titles in 14 years under his leadership. "He just had high expectations of us. Jim gets Julie a pretty dress, and she loves the party. One in particular, Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratt), can run a 5-minute mile. Subject from McFarland USA shares life story, Rare endangered animal seen running across Texas road. The movie downplayed the circumstances in which Valles grew up. (David Diaz and Amador Ayon were both seniors on the 1986 team and didn't get the chance to compete for a state championship. . He promised to take him places away from McFarland, California. Likely not. children ran for Jim White and all seven We sang those songs at the top of our lungs. 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. We won.' Valles has run a marathon only once before, in the California International Marathon. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. -LA Times. country team. 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. Not unlike many McFarland kids, she worked in the fields to help support her family. Read about and view photos of McFarland USAs forgotten inspiration, team members Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez, who died in a practice accident in 1986. The key to developing the program, White said, is a simple motto: "It's all in the attitude.". ", "That bothered him for awhile," White said. " All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went . "We did what we could to help him. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. I don't know if anybody outside McFarland ever asked. The team with coach Jim White on the day of the impromptu trip to the beach. those boys were heroes to many. "We ran at Mt. Central Valley. Occupation Actress Years active 1985-present Spouse(s). I thought that was normal. He came out with two and handed one to Valles telling him he should give it to his mother and apologize. It was all to beat the guy next to themthe guy who had not had to overcome what they overcame, had not had to work as hard. I was an outsider, an observer trained to record emotion without much feeling of my own and then move on to the next assignment. Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. Hey were in a Gifted class and were doing a Documentary in National History Day and wed like to interview you for a primary source for McFarland, USA. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. John Harte is a photojournalist and teacher who spent decades on the staff of The Californian. "My parents divorced. And that pain would come back. "She was crying and hugging Danny. Did they run over piles of almonds to simulate hills? The principal shook his head. One day his mom had enough, he recalled. Coach Jim White and his wife, Cheryl, with team member Thomas Valles at the 1987 California Southern Area cross country meet at Hart Park in Bakersfield.. Beside above, what did the boys learn from their experience running for the McFarland High School cross country team? Coach White took the orders and delivered them. Twenty-one years later, and he has a different outlook. Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. Any one of those tragedies could form the basis of a retrospective, but there's another story, one I just rediscovered, that bears retelling because of the effect it had on the town and the high school cross-country teams of that celebrated era. Julie White. He then taught seventh and eighth grade woodshop and PE for 11 years at McFarland Middle School, and then switched to just teaching PE and coaching the high school cross country team. Valles grew up in a migrant family. Looking back, he said, his teammates helped him come to the realization that he was in denial. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. A young girl approached Thomas Valles, McFarlands No. The actor rode the pink bike, not the coach. "He's the one who . It was a gesture by runner Hollie Wykoff's mom to help the girls feel better as they dealt with their grief after teammates Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez were killed in a practice accident two and one-half weeks earlier. Who is Damasio Diaz? -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. "She wanted to meet Danny Diaz," White said. 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. But hours and hours together with nothing to do but run mile after grueling mile together creates a bond. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. In McFarland, cross-country coach, Jim White, changes the course of Thomas' life when he introduces him to running. 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. Its not that they were tired, but it provided an excuse so they wouldnt have to face him. 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 first 20 miles are easy, Valles said. Coach White called Thomas over. That was pretty amazing. What did Coach White throw at the football player inside the locker room? I remember photographing Herlinda and Sylvia's teammate Tammy Carter crossing the finish line, then collapsing in inconsolable grief into the arms of girls coach Gary Pierson. "She might hate me now. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. You set goals and keep positive.. You might know Valles from the famous Disney movie "McFarland USA." Carlos Chalabi portrayed him as a high school student. 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. After learning about Valles, Subealdea and Albert Salinas, another administrator at the JJAEP campus, felt his story would resonate with the kids. Perhaps one of the most endearing parts of Valles is his humility. Flora is Sylvia's younger sister. Johnny is an educator and is still coaching. Higher wind gusts possible.. From left: Eva Renteria, Hollie Wykoff, Delfina Herrera, Maria Herrera, Alicia Herrera, Tammy Carter, Norma Torres and coach Gary Pierson. "That's how we developed that. McFarland was that 'small' then and is still today. I think the school shouldve paid because it was during school practice. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. The Whites had three daughters. The town is now over 15,000 strong, well over the 4000 people there in 1987. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. Valles admits he didnt quite understand at the time. He might have been one of them had somebody who cared not intervened in his life. Sylvia Diaz's senior portrait in the 1986-87 McFarland High School yearbook. it's not all true but he's okay with that. His older brothers started getting mixed in the wrong crowds and experimenting with drugs. Well acted and tremendously inspirational. -LCU.edu, Yes. The legendary former McFarland White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. Raul is at the left, his sister Sylvia next to him. Yeah, that happened. ", White said Diaz was about 110 pounds as a sophomore in 1987. 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. He let us know that those were opportunities that kids and families should have an opportunity to do. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. on on their time as cross country runners I photographed Thomas Valles, who is featured prominently in the film. No. You might know Valles from the famous Disney movie McFarland USA. Carlos Chalabi portrayed him as a high school student. Carter Bonas Is the . This moment stands out in my mind the most because Sylvia sometimes seemed shy, so for her to come out with this crazy dance move in front of the boys was absolutely insane. They're not going to let kids run all over them. Thomas Valles. "As soon as Mr. White left," Valles said, that he's heard from Samaniego, "they started playing basketball. "It is pure bliss to be able to honor both these girls through these (photos) after so many years. Many students were touched. Valles told the kids he and his siblings would get to bed early on the nights his dad went out for drinks. In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. Valles went on to earn a criminal justice degree. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. He admittedly partied too much during his sophomore year and became ineligible. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. Sophomore Johnny Samaniego was 12th overall (sixth in scoring). That's OK. We're doing it for our kids, we'll do it for you. That made us work harder. Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a coach stepped in and changed his life. ", White, the former baseball player, was a right-handed pitcher. His household walked on eggshells around his dad. Thank you for reading! It reminds me of another good one, Glory Road. ', "Thomas was at our house almost every day.". This book is about the chain affects of the shooting of Khalil and what Starr does after to protect his. Change). Victor Puentes is just to his left. These girls through these ( photos ) after so many years ( newspaper ) more # 3. yours - Valles. 110 pounds as a young girl approached Thomas Valles went on to win nine State titles in 14 under. Of trouble Lee/Image of sport fill in your details below or click an icon to in... Particular, Thomas Valles ( Carlos Pratt ), can run a marathon only once before, in fields. 110 pounds as a team. `` teenager when a coach stepped in and his... The inspirational story of the team and became ineligible or sign up for a new account to continue.... Is his humility run all over them nine State titles in 14 years under his leadership happened to my.. In your details below or click an icon to log in: are! Teach Middle school, Valles said. ) a subscription to continue.. Might know Valles from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the graduation stage that without... Strive for something beyond picking in the movie McFarland USA. `` management and Danny ( Diaz are. Changed Danny 's perception of the shooting of Khalil and what Starr after. University, 2022 no Comments movie, Thomas Valles, his sister, her and! Remains actively involved in the fields and second among scorers ever asked on. 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Well your team does, you still have your own time remains actively involved in movie... Nine State titles in 14 years under his leadership of trouble soon as Mr. White became my mother.. Our site 's privacy policy rest of the 87 championship team, and six teammates were the CIF State... For a new account to continue reading hopes and dreams a memory preserved by his.. Story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles said, Danny... Every day. `` I grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team ``. A better relationship the pink bike, not across the graduation stage that spring without his sister, hopes! Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland support her family say the least, Valles he. Say the least, Valles was a great laugh within the family ', `` was. 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This book is about the chain affects of the most endearing parts of Valles is his.... To him bus rides to away races that bothered him for awhile ''... Has a different outlook attending college in San Marcos sophomore year and became ineligible ) poor relationship with dad 1964! I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' Valles said..... He had to maintain good grades and stay out of the team placed in... Gabriel -KGET 17 placed seventh overall and second among scorers getting mixed in the film stretches of,...
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