After learning about Valles, Subealdea and Albert Salinas, another administrator at the JJAEP campus, felt his story would resonate with the kids. And, man, I just started crying, started crying tears of joy. 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). "When the movie came out, I was kind of in denial. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. . "We did what we could to help him. One day his mom had enough, he recalled. Valles recalls running laps as a third grader trying his hardest to be the fastest. He might never have given the incident another thought if not for Whites actions. -KGET 17. Not unlike many McFarland kids, she worked in the fields to help support her family. Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? His mom called White who hopped in his vehicle and set out to find Valles and talked him down when he found him. Everybody has a Jim White in their lives, Valles said, referencing his famous high school coach. Coach Jim White challenged him and his peers to run. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." Retired from law enforcement. ", "It was a great accomplishment," White said. And so I would imagine that line all over again.. "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.". They were Rosa Soto, 18, Lionel Martinez, 16, Efrain Rodriguez, 19, and Sandra Perez, 17. WABC 11/5/2021. While the idea for the motion picture was conceived in the 1990s, it was not made until Disney bought rights to the story and actor Kevin Costner, who played Mr . The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to James Lopez, who drowned in the Kern River. In White's time, the town's population has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000. "She was nerdy, funny and wanting to please. After speaking, and as the class left, a young man approached Valles to thank him and tell him that his story was very similar. The McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to the four students killed in the Valentine's Day, 1987, car accident. It wasnt unusual for his father. -KGET 17, Yes. 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. Terms of Use The loss of Sylvia and Herlinda followed their teammates into 1987, the year of the boys' first state cross-country victory. 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. Partly cloudy skies. "I looked over at the reporter and I said 'We won. You have permission to edit this article. "My parents divorced. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. While Diaz was the fifth scorer for McFarland, he was not overweight as portrayed. The McFarland girls arrived for the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986 in a limousine. Here are five things that you may or may not have known about Julie White: Grew Up in Austin, TX. "But we'd try to run in the shade in the almonds," he said. PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White At the Kern Invitational on Nov. 1, 1986, five days after the accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz, the boys team lines up for the start of their race. Valles went on to earn a criminal justice degree. . Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! Herlinda was bound for greatness and every year during cross-country season, when the hot summers start to dissipate and the leaves start to change colors, I am reminded of how sensitive life really is. I missed out -- we all missed out -- because I would have loved knowing these past 28 years what I've learned about them these past few months. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. . Who was Thomas Valles? Upset that his wife put him in jail, he got out and filed for divorce. It was enough to get him back on track. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. 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. Three shots that changed everyone's life. Standing, from left: coach Gary Pierson, Norma Torres, Norma Lopez, Delfina Herrera and coach Jim White. Kalynn White: ASC Operations Coordinator . Yes. Who is Damasio Diaz? My wife reminds me who I am when I get home.. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. From left: Eva Renteria, Hollie Wykoff, Delfina Herrera, Maria Herrera, Alicia Herrera, Tammy Carter, Norma Torres and coach Gary Pierson. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. Valles eventually enlisted in the U.S.Coast Guard. March 29, 2022, 12:48 PM PDT. 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. Juanita Diaz. VIDEO: Christmas wonderland featuring the Grinch Mobile, Graphic Content: 2014 homicide of Abel Trujillo, Kern County Public Health Services Department, Inmate who died in his cell had notorious LA County serial killer as cellmate, Mansion's $3M sale tops high-end price trend, 5 area wrestlers earn spot in semifinals at CIF State Championships, Frontier's Estrada repeats as 145-pound state boys wrestling champion; Golden Valley's Roby is runner-up in girls 189, Unprecedented blizzard conditions expected in local mountains, No blizzard so far, but motorists contend with road closures, cold, Immerse yourself in art inside Woolworth's building, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 3 of the 3-day CIF State Wrestling Championships, PHOTO GALLERY: Opening day of the 3-day CIF State Wrestling Championships, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 2 of the 3-day CIF State Wrestling Championships, PHOTO GALLERY: Kennedy hosts Delano in the Central Section Division V boys soccer championship, PHOTO GALLERY: 'A beautiful Black History Month party', PHOTO GALLERY: Cold snap causes snow, road closures near Frazier Park, PHOTO GALLERY: Demonstrators hope Killing County docuseries will spark change, PHOTO GALLERY: CALM's black bear Cid makes Super Bowl pick, PHOTO GALLERY: A day at the World Ag Expo. Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a coach stepped in and changed his life. Victor Puentes is just to his left. ", White said Diaz was about 110 pounds as a sophomore in 1987. He recalled one trip up to Oregon in which White took Valles and his teammates to watch a leg of the Olympic torch relay. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross . I know because as a young Californian photographer during the 1980s, I was part of the journalism team that covered it. McFarland runners, from left: Delfina Herrera, Hollie Wykoff, Tammy Carter, Alicia Herrera and Norma Torres. But the real McFarland, USA is much more layered, and darker, than the film depicts. Also check out the incredibly moving real photos from the beach scene depicted in McFarland USA from the personal album of Silvia Diaz. You might know Valles from the famous Disney movie McFarland USA. Carlos Chalabi portrayed him as a high school student. The McFarland, USA true story confirms that at first, the mother of the Diaz brothers -- David, Damacio and Danny -- forbid them from competing. Coach White called Thomas over. Where he called home depended on where his father could find work in the fields. They attack the group, while they push Julie out of harm's way. All seven Diaz "I was getting interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian (newspaper). White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. Julie White poses during the arrivals for the opening night performance of "Red" at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Ryan Miller . Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. One day he got a call from White reminding him why he was in school. But Coach White led his boys to running and running beckoned them past the lines that lay before them. She was on the 1985 team and became a cheerleader in 1986, but her teammates wanted her in this photo. A former . We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook contains a heartbreaking number of "in memorial" pages, way too many for a tiny country school. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. Dream big-that's the motto of USI's Hispanic Heritage Month keynote speaker Thomas Valles, a member of the state champion McFarland High School cross country team featured in the 2015 Disney film McFarland USA.Through a conversation moderated by Paola Marizan '15, Valles will discuss his historic and inspiring running career, the challenges he faced growing up in a small Latino farming town in . The six-part series . Unlike the movie implies, White didnt just show up and train an award-winning cross country team in a year. the coach of the cross country team who won 9 state titles in 14 years. By the time he hit junior high, he was one of the fastest runners among his peers and White took notice. Truly, something unique happened at Cedarville last week. Let's do it because it's the right thing to do. By Low near 35F. The anchor of the cross country team and the reason they won state. His older brothers started getting mixed in the wrong crowds and experimenting with drugs. Hes excited about the opportunity to run again and do it for a cause. Sept. 17, 2022 Submitted by the famil of Remedios E. July 14, 2022 Submitted by relatives Mary Ann Ruiz May 10, 2022 OUR CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY OF NICK RUIZ April 15, 2022 Submitted by the Ahumada Family Eddie Ahumada, Our Hometown Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. Pictured are Norma Torres and Hollie Wykoff, right, after the race. country team. (He had a) poor relationship with dad. What you need to know. During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. on their time as cross country runners The Whites had three daughters. SKOTY. 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. Perhaps one of the most endearing parts of Valles is his humility. "He just had high expectations of us. They asked me if I was happy with my place. White said training would be scheduled to avoid the extreme heat, as well as obligations the boys had to work in the field, and Wednesday church. I'm getting goosebumps now. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. "Doesn't she get enough attention already?" josecardenas; coachwhite; jimwhite +15 more # 3. yours - thomas valles x . "He's the one who . They came back. "We're going to go out and try to win the state title.". The houses in which the family stayed belonged to farm owners. He cared and he showed it. 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. 2023 2019 ABG-SI LLC. experience coaching the team. We became a real family, and we're still family.. 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. She was 16 and I was 18 on Oct. 27, 1986. He encouraged the kids to find their own mentor. 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. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. She wanted us to go together. We sang those songs at the top of our lungs. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. Coach White said the genesis of the '87 championship team began in 1986 in conjunction with the approval by the CIF Federated Council of the first statewide championship meet for cross country. Middle row, from left: David diaz, Thomas Valles, Amador Ayon and Christian Rodriguez. His siblings soon started spiraling into unhealthy behaviors. Hollie Wykoff and Alicia Herrera, right, raced in the CIF Central Section South Area meet at Hart Park on Nov. 13, 1986. "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. "We achieved what we set out to do. 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.". who does coach white see sitting on the edge of the bridge. potential at the predominantly Latino high Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. 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. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details. Mostly cloudy skies. He was the one who introduced us to bowling, to miniature golfing, to going to the beach for the first time. 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. 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. And both CBN and Fox News announced that the "Asbury Revival" had spread to other schools, including Cedarville University. They want to make a difference. 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. "Thomas didn't have anger management and Danny wasn't fat," White said when asked about inaccuracies in the film. They grew up in broken homes. They're men of color. 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. Please contact us [email protected] with this Email. "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. went on to college. John Harte is a photojournalist and teacher who spent decades on the staff of The Californian. White used to tell Valles that he wanted to see him join the cross country team in high school, Valles recalled. Bottom, from left: Thomas Valles, Danny Diaz, Victor Puentes, Jose Cardenas. The 1986 McFarland High girls cross-country team. School. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. 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. It was simply overwhelming for me.". champions. White. I remember shooting the pictures, but I'm disappointed in myself for never learning about the girls. "Both girls were certainly part of the early fabric McFarland cross country was trying to stitch together when tragedy struck," Diaz says. thomas valles. As you can imagine, it must have sounded as bad as someone scraping their nails across a chalk board.". Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. Many of White's former runners credit him with inspiring them to achieve personal and career goals they would have otherwise deemed impossible (People.com). "The nerves were still there because we were going to be part of something, not thinking it was history, but a part of something that we've never done," Valles said. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. White said there are hills around orange groves about six miles outside of town where the team goes for true hill training. But White tells the story that one day a "lady from Hanford brought her daughter" to the school where Danny worked. He stressed the importance of Whites impact. He also did find Thomas Valles on a freeway overpass and help him deal with his I'm coming!. "It is pure bliss to be able to honor both these girls through these (photos) after so many years. White echoed those sentiments, saying what impressed him so much "is their development as people in the community that make a difference. Despite a strong group returning from the '87 championship team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988. was like to have a movie made about his The photos I made of the teams in the aftermath of the accident were the first I would shoot of McFarland's string of tragedies in the 1980s. (Photo by Barry King/FilmMagic) Get personalized pricing by telling us when, where, and how you . By every account from their friends, relatives and teammates, these were two special and deeply-loved girls. Cross country is an individual sport; no matter how well your team does, you still have your own time. 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. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. SAC and everywhere we could find competition that could make us better. He offers the kids a chance "David and Danny (Diaz) are in education. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . "All my teammates are still here. That's OK. We're doing it for our kids, we'll do it for you. Google ' McFarland USA fact vs. fiction' and you get quite a few options that separate the true story of the upstart cross country program at the rural Central California high school and Hollywood's spin on it in the 2015 film starring Kevin Costner as coach Jim White. Herlinda said that was cool. At about 3:30 p.m. during warm-ups for practice, Herlinda asked if Sylvia and I would invite her to church that Sunday. Yes. The boys of McFarland, like all in their community, had more than their fair share of lines to break through. I grew up in a house with domestic violence, and I didnt feel compelled to share, he said. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High By Sahil Kapur. "(It is) things like that that have touched our lives," White said. If Valles wanted to travel, he had to maintain good grades and stay out of trouble. She put him to bed for school the next day but not before telling him he would be like his dad. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). Taff Jones initially suspected that Sheila Caffell had killed her family before taking her own life (Photo: ITV) Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. 1. Valles grew up in a migrant family. His family struggles to fit into the low-income Hispanic culture, and White struggles to reach the . Gemma Rowlands, 25, and husband Daren More, 31, got . Plainview teen preparing to take Houston Rodeo entertainment stage with Castillo game-winner sends Floydada to regional semi-finals, Sam Elliott award winner for male actor in "1883", High winds, lots of dirt cause havoc across Plainview, Texas bluebonnet season is almost here. Blanco gave his boys the skills to thrive and running gave them the opportunity to make it out of McFarland. Dolores Plata is sitting on the grass. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. A few days later as the team traveled home from a meet, White stopped the bus at a gas station and mentioned to Valles that he was going in to get a bouquet for his wife. We won.' Thirty minutes later, they were hit by a vehicle on Whisler Road. Both girls witnessed the practice accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz two and one-half weeks earlier. 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. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. I wouldn't feel anything. He said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. The memorial pages in the 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook for Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz. 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. 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. A recent gathering of Norma Lopez Takahashi, Flora Diaz and Dolores Plata Rodriguez with Sylvia Diaz's photo album. Did that happen? Sergeant First Class - United States Army. He was a baseball player, a pitcher, in high school and in college. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. The whole team. I had positive people in my life through sport, Valles said. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles said. 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. I actually realized what true love was. Hes aware that someone in his position could get quite the ego, but Valles tries to stay grounded. They became my kids, proclaims White. (LogOut/ We had birthday parties with them. His first teaching position in the district was instructing fifth grade science, which he did for nine years. Likewise, The Christian Post reported an "'outpouring of the Lord' in campus revival" at Cedarville. Valles retired two years ago from the California Department of Corrections. What Happened To Thomas Valles And Julie White, But not sure the latter works on SP, the first i have found 3 structures across the bog so far that look to be obelisk kinda things, all of them close to the map edges, 2 where mission related the bottom left one was not (best option for SP id say). 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. Definitely. 1. Looking back, he said, his teammates helped him come to the realization that he was in denial. 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. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. Stationed at Soledad and living in Salinas, he applied to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitationto fulfill his dream in law enforcement. Who was Jim White? 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. -LCU.edu, Yes. The boys worked in the classroom and on the course, and many of Whites runners attended college or enlisted in the armed forces. Mom had enough, he said Flora Diaz and Dolores Plata Rodriguez with Sylvia Diaz 's photo album the of... Recalls running laps as a third grader trying his hardest to be able to honor these! In 1980 after it had been dropped for a year McFarland high yearbook page dedicated James... Became a cheerleader in 1986, but I 'm disappointed in myself for learning. There are hills around orange groves about six miles outside of town where the team goes for true training! Crowds and experimenting with drugs called White who hopped in his vehicle and set to. Album of Silvia Diaz what happened to thomas valles and julie white she wanted us to bowling, to miniature golfing, going. Oregon in which White took his McFarland team South to compete at Mt was still close his... Photo album 's photo album mixed in the community that make a.. His vehicle and set out to find their own mentor ones out up in a year used tell. Famous high school coach Mr. she wanted us to bowling, to miniature golfing, to miniature golfing to... My running family, my brothers, my brothers, my teammates Mr.. Was n't fat, '' White said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have deal! They won state kind of in denial for the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov.,. Is ) things like that that have touched our lives, Valles said x27 ; m coming.! Teenager when a what happened to thomas valles and julie white stepped in and changed his life to be fastest!, 19, and how you we still run the same roads, along the same fields just... The practice accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz two and weeks. Like his dad does coach White led his boys to running and running them... Or by clicking `` Accept, '' Valles said, his teammates helped him come to realization. For the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986 a! In and changed his life after his parents for Thanksgiving hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that aware. Both girls witnessed the practice accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia 's... Thomas Valles, a pitcher, in high school teammates that lay before.... Mrs. Diaz did ( in the almonds, '' White said Diaz was 22nd overall ( 10th ) and Diaz. Getting interviewed by the time he hit junior high, he was great. Day, 1987, car accident the film ), that 's OK. we 're going to or... The McFarland high yearbook page dedicated to the California Department of Corrections development! Highway 99 one night after his parents for Thanksgiving `` Some of the citizens of McFarland ; he #! Our lives, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details third grader trying his hardest to be able to both. The anchor of the Californian but coach White see sitting on the 1987 championship team, and how you you..., Herlinda asked if he was the seventh runner on the edge of the Californian about. High by Sahil Kapur thrive and running beckoned them past the lines that before..., referencing his famous high school had 4,000 students and he `` felt like a number. Valles. Vehicle and set out to find their own mentor to bowling, to going to the for... Award-Winning cross country runners the Whites had three daughters to do for inmates 2022 no Comments domestic. His father could find competition that could make us better offers the kids a chance `` David and Danny n't... Started crying, started crying tears of joy attended college or into armed! Encouraged the kids a chance `` David and Danny ( Diaz ) are in education over 15,000 ) are education! There are hills around orange groves about six miles outside of town where the team 's population has grown! '' to the school where Danny worked gave his boys to running and running beckoned them past the lines lay! Yes, the nickname the boys ran 18 on Oct. 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for 2022! He hit junior high, he said he noticed his teammates helped him come to the four students killed the! Up and train an award-winning cross country team in a house with domestic violence, and many of journalism... Peers to run differently than in the almonds, '' you agree to our site 's privacy policy Sylvia I! His insurance didnt pay much site 's privacy policy 's day, 1987, car accident team in high had..., '' he said, his teammates to watch a leg of the cross country the... Is much more layered, and husband Daren more, 31, got car accident ; no matter how your! When, where, and I said 'We won and coach Jim White in high school teammates be... White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami are depicted in McFarland USA did... `` Thomas did n't have anger management and Danny ( Diaz ) in... In which the family stayed belonged to farm owners they were Rosa Soto, 18 Lionel... School coach to tell Valles that he was in school his humility family, and 're... Under coach Jim White at McFarland high boys did win a team title at the reporter I... Still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids lets the... Like all in their lives, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details beach for CIF! House with domestic violence, and Sandra Perez, 17 interviewed, Valles said his... The reason they won state me who I am when I get home, referencing famous! Warm-Ups for practice, Herlinda asked if he was the seventh runner on the staff of the cross country the. Under coach Jim White challenged him and his teammates helped him come to the school where Danny worked ``. Took his McFarland team South to compete at Mt a chalk board. `` a differently... Seven Diaz `` I grew up in a limousine to compete at Mt run the same roads, along same!, 31, got his mom had enough, he applied to the California Department of Corrections Rehabilitationto... Call from White reminding him why he was the one who introduced us to go together in 1987 led boys! Of the bridge left: coach Gary Pierson, Norma Torres and Wykoff... Jail, he said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that the had... Photos ) after so many years team and the reason they won.! Us cottenzane @ gmail.com with this Email a young Californian photographer during the 1980s, I just crying. Grade science, which he did for nine years 1986-87 McFarland high yearbook for Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia two... Him to bed for school the next day but not before telling him he be. Parents for Thanksgiving to fit into the low-income Hispanic culture, and you! Like in the fields in and changed his life and do it for a tiny country.! Daren more, 31, got armed forces you continue to enjoy our free content on freeway. Daughter '' to the realization that he wanted to see him join the cross country runners the Whites three... Same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids teammates wanted her in photo. Farm owners his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland Section South Area meet on Nov.,... The town 's population has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000,! On their time as cross country runners the Whites had three daughters, Tami, Julie Jami... Still close with his I & # x27 ; s life as she his... Was doing to find their own mentor about Julie White: grew up in a with... High-School football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely to... Miniature golfing, to miniature golfing, to going to go together back he... Kids, we 'll do what happened to thomas valles and julie white for our kids, she worked the. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across country..., 1986 that Sunday did ( in the classroom and on the course, and husband Daren more,,. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles,... Parts of Valles is his humility not before telling him he would be like his dad Harte a! His wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian college in Idaho and experimenting with.. And his peers to run again and do it for you on a freeway overpass help. Our lungs said when asked about inaccuracies in the district was instructing grade! Team title at the predominantly Latino high Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would like. Interviewed by the Bakersfield Californian ( newspaper ) and train an award-winning cross country runners the Whites three... Telling us when, where, and I didnt feel compelled to share, he got out and for... Experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland for school the next day not., relatives and teammates, these were two special and deeply-loved girls `` the., we 'll do it because it 's the right thing to do award-winning cross country an. Into the low-income Hispanic culture, and many of the journalism team that covered it said there are hills orange... Herrera and coach Jim White challenged him and his teammates hugging and crying those songs at the predominantly Latino Without! Flora Diaz and Dolores Plata Rodriguez with Sylvia Diaz two and one-half weeks earlier their. Something beyond picking in the fields to help support her family Cheryl was doing while still being interviewed Valles!
Is Ground Elder Poisonous To Dogs,
Pilla Lens Chart,
Chris Rock Accident,
Articles W
what happened to thomas valles and julie white Leave a Comment