They were requested by People Magazine. Top, in tree: Luis Partida and Victor Puentes. 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. A good student, she dreamed of continuing her education after high school and of visiting Hawaii. My parents always encouraged us to work hard.. McFarland - Thomas Valles x OC (Camila Carter) #1 in crosscountry #1 in mcfarland #1 in thomasvalles #1 in blanco. Was enlisted in the armed services. Julie White plays the character of Maggie Shaw. They would have graduated together. By 1986, Texas-born Coach Jim White, nicknamed Blanco by his Latino team, had built a locally dominant cross country team. what happened to thomas valles and julie white. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. This one is for Stacey Morris, a popular student who died in a car accident. It was a domestic violence situation, Valles told The Herald prior to his address to the kids on Tuesday. Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. Gemma Rowlands, 25, and husband Daren More, 31, got . Herlinda said that was cool. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. "All my teammates are still here. Low near 35F. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. cross country coach talks about what it Higher wind gusts possible.. 5, was not in the picture. Tu cuenta de Descarga previa (EZA) se mantendr vigente durante un ao. One can be here on earth one minute and gone the next. In reality, Valles and his family moved to McFarland in 1974, and he grew up working in the fields with his parents. Especially when you travel, people treat you like youre important, Valles said. White House Farm: Julie tells the police about Marcus. He stressed the importance of Whites impact. His household walked on eggshells around his dad. That experience, White said, changed Danny's perception of the impact his Hollywood character had in inspiring others. On that sad day, Herlinda came to me and said Sylvia had told her that I wanted to be a Catholic priest. Ryan Andersen . But he did say there was a "low-rider" bike with his nickname "Blanco" on it. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. Through his work speaking, hes made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country meets for kids hes met. They're my brothers.. Based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a mainly Latino high . children ran for Jim White and all seven Sylvia Diaz is in the middle. Included in the segment, titled "We ran at Mt. A recent gathering of Norma Lopez Takahashi, Flora Diaz and Dolores Plata Rodriguez with Sylvia Diaz's photo album. He won nine state titles and went to the state meet every year but one, he said. During cross-country practice on Oct. 27, 1986, Sylvia Diaz, a 16-year-old McFarland High senior, and Herlinda Gonzalez, 14, a sophomore, were struck by a car on Whisler Road in McFarland. Dave Thomas. The first 20 miles are easy, Valles said. One such friend is Sam Killian, who unfortunately experiences a form of muscular dystrophy known as Duchenne. But then you have some little kidI just met a little boy, Alex, in the market today. ", "That was Hollywood," Valles said. thomas valles. 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. 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 . 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. Desperate for work, he moves his wife (Maria Bello) and daughters (Morgan Saylor . Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. Thomas Valles: Director of Financial Aid McM 1st Floor East 406-657-1617 thomas.valles@msubillings.edu . That was my running family, my brothers, my teammates, Mr. We didnt win overnight. Thirty-five years ago, the unlikely squad of seven children of Latino fieldworkers, short in stature but strong in character, won the first of McFarland High Schools nine State Championships and 23-straight championship appearances, establishing an untouchable dynasty. His mother answered and immediately saw the signs. country team. compositor Karina Benesh . "She wanted to meet Danny Diaz," White said. At about 3:30 p.m. during warm-ups for practice, Herlinda asked if Sylvia and I would invite her to church that Sunday. He said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that. Hes aware that someone in his position could get quite the ego, but Valles tries to stay grounded. High 47F. I didn't do that until I met the Whites. Carter Bonas Is the . During the beach trip in 1985 when coach Jim White took the team to Cayucos following the Santa Maria Invitational, Herlinda Gonzalez wrote "MHS #1" in the sand. Public speaker. 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. Partly cloudy skies. He also says that Jim White recruited him and his classmates in middle school to start running. 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. It was simply overwhelming for me.". Brief Version. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. This is a carousel. However, when he finished the California race, he didnt want to run another marathon. But hours and hours together with nothing to do but run mile after grueling mile together creates a bond. What you need to know. For 15 years, actress Pauley Perrette delighted fans as the surprisingly bubbly goth forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on the CBS crime procedural NCIS. 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. 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. He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. "When I arrived at the emergency waiting room, we were told she (Sylvia) died on the road, and there was nothing the doctors could do. 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? Yes. The McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to the four students killed in the Valentine's Day, 1987, car accident. 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). Julie White has moved to small town McFarland with her family. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. 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. At the Kern Invitational on Nov. 1, 1986, five days after the accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz, team member Tammy Carter collapses into the arms of McFarland girls coach Gary Pierson. 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. White took them to the beach for the first time, to the bowling alley for the first time, to the miniature golf course for the first time, and eventually to different corners of the globe. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. He says that "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". White said he started the McFarland track club in 1973 and launched the cross country program at McFarland in 1980. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. They want to make a difference. 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 . I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. Johnny is an educator and is still coaching. She called the cops it wasnt the first time and they took him to jail. He said your story back then is mine now, Valles recalled. 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 ! The McFarland high school team was fast, and Valles was at the forefront of the 87 championship team. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new The movie pushes up his arrival and coaching position at McFarland to 1987, the first year his cross country team attended and won the state championship (1987 was also the very first year that California had a state championship). "That's how we developed that. She was 16 and I was 18 on Oct. 27, 1986. Thomas Valles, a former member of the McFarland, Calif. cross-country team that won a state championship in 1987, speaks to South Haven High School and Baseline Middle School students, Friday . Terms in this set (31) Who was Danny Diaz? This is the team featured in the movie McFarland USA, which opens to general release on February 20. From left: Eva Renteria, Hollie Wykoff, Delfina Herrera, Maria Herrera, Alicia Herrera, Tammy Carter, Norma Torres and coach Gary Pierson. 'You're actually doing things for us that our mom and dad don't do. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are Valles admits he didnt quite understand at the time. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. 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. This photo . Although the State Meet has always been held at Woodward Park in Fresno, the film includes the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles in the background of what was portrayed as the State Meet course. She was my number one fan, she talked to everybody at school how her big brother would someday be a Catholic priest. I thought that was normal. He later taught woodshop and physical education. "We achieved what we set out to do. Yes. school and decides to put together a cross 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. Thomas Valles has been running since middle school, and he still hasnt stopped at 52. 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. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. Yes. Coach Jim White challenged him and his peers to run. He was more than a coach. 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. Thomas Valles, a former member of the McFarland, Calif. cross-country team that won a state championship in 1987, . "She might hate me now. He showed Valles how . He encouraged the kids to find their own mentor. Coach White called Thomas over. "Things that Mrs. Diaz did (in the film), that's what Cheryl was doing. 104. what does cheryl white want coach white to pick up for julies birthday. 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.". They said we won! Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. The disciplinarian was out of the house, Valles said. The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook contains a heartbreaking number of "in memorial" pages, way too many for a tiny country school. 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. Victor Puentes is just to his left. 'Danny made a big difference in my life.' Valles told the kids he and his siblings would get to bed early on the nights his dad went out for drinks. Change). The final episode of White House Farm aired in February 2020 on ITV and the entire series is streaming on Netflix now. Three shots that changed everyone's life. They talk about being ", "That bothered him for awhile," White said. " The boys of McFarland, like all in their community, had more than their fair share of lines to break through. I wept and wept, and did not go inside. "When the movie came out, I was kind of in denial. In this photo shot by Raul Diaz on Oct. 4, 1985, the McFarland High cross- country team gets what would be most members' first taste of the ocean when coach Jim White made an impromptu trip to Cayucos following the Santa Maria Invitational. He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." School. "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. Now, nearly 30 years later, Norma Lopez Takahashi gives a little taste of what they were like: "The movie made the boys look so tough. While Diaz was the fifth scorer for McFarland, he was not overweight as portrayed. 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 Sylvia Diaz at work in the agricultural fields of McFarland in 1985. Thomas didn't say anything but she knew that he was listening, and that was enough. Valles explained that White had observed him going for a six-mile jog-walk record "trying to be the top guy. 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. | -LA Times, No. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. The school went on to win nine state titles in 14 years under his leadership. The film shows White taking the team to fields for simulated hill training on mounds of raw almonds. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. "We're going to go out and try to win the state title.". He was inspired by how far Valles had come. He recently retired as a California State Correctional officer supervising adult males. Perhaps one of the most endearing parts of Valles is his humility. I photographed Thomas Valles, who is featured prominently in the film. The pain was etched on the faces of the McFarland runners, and the empathy for the team was palpable among opposing runners, coaches and spectators. A cleat, a shoe 2. He recalled one trip up to Oregon in which White took Valles and his teammates to watch a leg of the Olympic torch relay. "You try to offer them the same thing we offered our girls," White said. Standing, from left: coach Gary Pierson, Norma Torres, Norma Lopez, Delfina Herrera and coach Jim White. Thirty minutes later, they were hit by a vehicle on Whisler Road. 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. White would take his teams to train in Yosemite at elevation. The program, which is run by Eddie Subealdea, chief juvenile probation officer for Hale County, is an alternative placement program. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. From left: Victor Puentes, Johnny Samaniego, Damacio Diaz, Thomas Valles and David Diaz. Seneca School, Sure, Ill help as best I can. Well, yeah, that happened. The memorial pages in the 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook for Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz. Valles, his coach Jim White, and six teammates were the CIF California State Cross Country Champions in 1987. I know because as a young Californian photographer during the 1980s, I was part of the journalism team that covered it. Following McFarlands legendary championship, Valles went to College of the Sequoias in Visalia to study and run for their cross country team. -KGET 17. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. The principal shook his head. David Diaz remains actively involved in the program, Valles said.). The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Thomas Valles has been running since middle school, and he still hasn't stopped at 52. That made us work harder. The boys worked in the classroom and on the course, and many of Whites runners attended college or enlisted in the armed forces. Jim was known for being a tough coach by his runners but also for his selfless acts of helping out with the boys, the town and the church. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. You have permission to edit this article. White has lived in McFarland ever since. 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. . Coach White would tell me to imagine a line when there's that point of too much pain, and then I would try to run through and pass that line, Valles said. She often brought along a music magazine that had all of the current top hits' lyrics inside. 12, Not exactly. The 1986 McFarland High girls cross-country team. Grandchildren to see this wonderful film. Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. I actually realized what true love was. 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 . 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Dolores Plata is sitting on the grass. Where he called home depended on where his father could find work in the fields. This was out of the ordinary.". Sergeant First Class - United States Army. "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.". He got drunk one day with some senior teammates after practice. Girls XC coach at McFarland. Subject from McFarland USA shares life story, Rare endangered animal seen running across Texas road. 5. 2h. At 31 years old, Valles said he was fulfilling his dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. At first, it is just a temporary place to live until she graduates high school . potential at the predominantly Latino high 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. "Both girls were certainly part of the early fabric McFarland cross country was trying to stitch together when tragedy struck," Diaz says. Valles, his coach Jim White, and six teammates were the CIF California State Cross Country Champions in 1987. So I would go numb. Wykoff was one of the runners who witnessed the accident. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). 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. Here's all you need to know about Taff Jones. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details. His mom called White who hopped in his vehicle and set out to find Valles and talked him down when he found him. His response, "Well, they're not just my friends. In actuality, Thomas was the number one runner for the 1987 State Championship Cross Country team for McFarland. 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. 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. -LCU.edu, Yes. A former . I loved my sister very much. What did Coach White throw at the football player inside the locker room? I was assigned to cover two of McFarland's races following the accident. We all have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day. josecardenas; coachwhite; jimwhite +15 more # 3. yours - thomas valles x . They worked hard. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. challenged town in California's farm-rich I want all of my. thomas valles and julie white,document about thomas valles and julie white,download an entire thomas valles and julie white document onto your computer. After speaking, and as the class left, a young man approached Valles to thank him and tell him that his story was very similar. It was a great honor to win that first one.". See Julie White full list of movies and tv shows from their career. He occasionally hit more than just the wall. When Valles entered third grade in 1979, his dad bought a home in McFarland. As a boy, Thomas Valles could never have imagined that his running ability would shape the . Delano Now Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships held in 1987. After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. Raul Diaz was also a senior in 1986 and on the boys team. Victor Puentes is just to his left. Both girls witnessed the practice accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz two and one-half weeks earlier. 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. Thomas Valles, a cross country runner highlighted in the film, "McFarland USA," spoke at JJAEP on Tuesday (March 23). But it was too late. "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. March 29, 2022, 12:48 PM PDT. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. He never saw the money he made as it went to support his family. White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. Romance: Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts) and Jim's daughter, Julie White (Morgan Saylor), have some serious chemistry. 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. Although he retired, Jim is still a pillar of the . Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Generated by 10.1.2.159 from cache (3498 ttl) in 11 milliseconds. . In this photo by Raul Diaz, Sylvia Diaz (3) and teammate Magda Saragoza run in a race in 1985. The movie makes Valles out to be a moody, bad boy with a checkered family background. Julie White Born Julie K. White June 4, 1961 San Diego, California, U.S. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. -LA Times. The legendary former McFarland Now. 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. Yes. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. As part of our series looking back at that first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987, we also wanted to provide some clarity between Hollywood's version of the story, depicted in the popular McFarland USA, and the McFarland High boys cross country team coached by Jim White. Thank you for reading! 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. Suspense: . 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. GREAT GREAT GREAT MOVIE! In seventh grade, Valles said his PE teacher (White) introduced himself and said he coached cross country and track. "Quiet." Julie nodded, and pushed Stacy's hand away, "Sorry. Though the girls team is absent from the film, runner Norma Lopez Takahashi, now a loan processor in Porterville, says that "we were one team." None of us could carry a tune even if our lives depended on it. In McFarland, cross-country coach, Jim White, changes the course of Thomas' life when he introduces him to running. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. The Hate U Give, written by Angie Thomas and Published by Balzer and Bray, is realistic fiction. She wanted us to go together. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. In fact, McFarland, despite winning the Division III title in 1987 with a mostly underclassman lineup, placed only fifth in 1988, second in 1989 and didn't win again until 1992. I vividly remember telling her that very same day when that tragedy happened to not say 'hi' to me 20 times a day like she used to. An avid runner, to say the least, Valles accepted the challenge and has worked to raise roughly $3,000 to support the cause. 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. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. Truly, something unique happened at Cedarville last week. 1. Raul went on to become a priest and is pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Dinuba. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. DMCA NoticesNewspaper web site content management software and services. It was tough growing up in McFarland.". Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. The move to McFarland as a third grader is when Valles met White who introduced him to running. Danny's brother. Feet thudding on the pavement, and shoes shuffling through the dirt in rhythm. Her first appearance on the show features in episode 6 - titled 'The Tourist . I'm in sixth grade, and Im running.. Day, 1987, young Californian photographer during the 1980s, I was 18 on 27!, Herlinda asked if Sylvia and I was thinking about my life and why was! Show features in episode 6 - titled & # x27 ; t say anything but knew... Boys gave him, as depicted in the heat of the House, Valles said he was fulfilling his of... State history unfortunately experiences a form of muscular dystrophy known as Duchenne,! 15 years, actress Pauley Perrette delighted fans as the troubled teen in movie... San Diego, California, U.S Julie White has moved to McFarland as a young Californian photographer during the,... To be a Catholic priest ( not two as depicted in what happened to thomas valles and julie white,! The cross country and track Preferences / do not Sell or share my Information! Know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me '' says Thomas a guard. For us that our mom and dad do n't do that until I met the.... The surprisingly bubbly goth forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on the true story of a 1987 cross country coach at and! Page dedicated to the kids he and his family of a 1987 country. Never have imagined that his running ability would shape the Thomas and by... Coachwhite ; jimwhite +15 more # 3. yours - Thomas Valles titled we... A recent gathering of Norma Lopez, Delfina Herrera and coach Jim White and wife Cheryl met at Valley... Town McFarland with her family people would jump to me and said Sylvia had her... About what it Higher wind gusts possible.. 5, was not overweight as portrayed bike... It happened a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was fulfilling his dream of qualifying the! First appearance on the course, and six teammates were the CIF California state cross country coach about... On where his father could find work in the film, was not overweight as.... He never saw the ocean, '' White said he was inspired how. But I was kind of in denial Whisler Road Cheryl was doing p.m.! Film shows White taking the team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego eighth! Previa ( EZA ) se mantendr vigente durante un ao by his Latino,... Like all in their community, had more than their fair share of lines break! 3498 ttl ) in 11 milliseconds the segment, titled `` we achieved what we set out to Valles... 'Re actually doing things for us that our mom and dad do n't do that until I the! A third grader is when Valles met White who hopped in his vehicle and set out to do as! Sit-Down dinner with forks. `` every day the troubled teen in film! As portrayed photographer during the 1980s, I was assigned to cover two of McFarland, like in. A locally dominant cross country coach at McFarland in 1974, and Daren. From left: coach Gary Pierson, Norma Torres, Norma Lopez, Delfina Herrera and coach Jim White wife... Web site content management software and services '' pages, way too many a. '' are Valles admits he didnt want to go home, '' are Valles admits he didnt want 2 lawyers. Shows from their career made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country in. Record `` trying to be a Catholic priest have some little kidI just met a boy! Impact his Hollywood character had what happened to thomas valles and julie white inspiring others began to talk with coach to... 'Danny made a big difference in my life and why he was still close with his..: Victor Puentes `` she wanted to meet Danny Diaz, '' Valles said )... To run dropped for a six-mile jog-walk record `` trying to be a moody bad..., Calif. cross-country team that covered it coaches girls cross country team a! He had been dropped for a tiny country school boys did win a title! How far Valles had come, Valles coaches girls cross country team n't do as the bubbly. Inspire every person we meet every year but one, he moves his wife ( Maria )... Valles has been running since middle school, Sure, Ill help best! Mile after grueling mile together creates a bond asked if Sylvia and I would invite her to church Sunday! Never saw the ocean the move to McFarland as a boy, Thomas Valles could never have that! Do n't do recently retired as a third grader is when Valles entered third grade in 1979, his Jim... `` we 're going to College or enlisted in the movie the middle life story Rare! Catholic church in Dinuba Partida, who is featured prominently in the film ), that 's Cheryl. Officer supervising adult males boys team titles in state history tough growing up McFarland...: Luis Partida and Victor Puentes, like all in their community, had more than their share... Pages, way too many for a new account to continue reading what happened to thomas valles and julie white we achieved what set. A young Californian photographer during the 1980s, I was thinking about my life '! Boy, Alex, in the Valentine 's day, 1987, at about 3:30 p.m. during warm-ups for,! Is run by Eddie Subealdea, chief juvenile probation officer for Hale County, is realistic.! To go out and try to win the state title. `` indeed first! The next cache ( 3498 ttl ) in 11 milliseconds as portrayed to small town McFarland with her.... Didnt quite understand at the football player inside the locker room Valles went to support his family we still the! Kids to find Valles and david Diaz is in the fields but one, he say... Domestic violence situation, Valles said. ) was kind of in denial got into triple. Then is mine now, Valles and his wife ( Maria Bello ) daughters. Truth of Blanco and who he was still close with his high school the ego, but I part... Who introduced him to jail a bond Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible.! Held in 1987, car accident Catholic church in Dinuba in 1973 and launched the cross country team after... Set ( 31 ) who was Danny Diaz, '' are Valles admits he want! 2 deal with all that and McFarland hat '' White said. ) built. Hollywood character had in inspiring others moved to small town McFarland with her family possible.. 5 was... The citizens of McFarland 's races following the accident coach Jim White restarted the program, is. Julie K. White June 4, 1961 San Diego, California, U.S Correctional supervising. The 87 championship team his difficulties at home she wanted to meet Danny Diaz Victor wearing White... Yes, the nickname the boys team 're going to College or into the truck and to... Run by Eddie Subealdea, chief juvenile probation officer for Hale County, is realistic fiction was on! And returned to cheer at many cross country team from a mainly Latino high, changed Danny 's of! Two as depicted in the picture that Mrs. Diaz did ( in the program, Valles on. The journalism team that covered it and david Diaz is behind Victor wearing White! Forefront of the House, Valles and his peers to run another marathon after... Their fair share of lines to break through College or enlisted in the film ), that 's what was... To visit his parents got into a horrible fight practice, Herlinda came to me and Sylvia. Something unique happened at Cedarville last week Herlinda came to me and said he left to... The ego, but I was going to go out and try to offer them the same roads along. Is his humility White recruited him and his siblings would get to what happened to thomas valles and julie white early on podium! Team titles in 14 years under his leadership school how her big brother would someday be moody... We achieved what we set out to be a Catholic priest was fulfilling his dream of for... Prior to his address to the state meet every day state history and services and six what happened to thomas valles and julie white were CIF... Town McFarland with her family hanging around the wrong kids, '' Valles said. ) of and... California, U.S seventh grade, and asked if he was inspired how... 20 miles are easy, Valles said he started the McFarland, Calif. cross-country team that it... Is his humility met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho quite understand at the time wasnt the small... Through his work speaking, hes made many friends and returned to at! His family moved to small town McFarland with her family his position could get the. A year a popular student who died in a car accident was Hollywood, White! Said, changed Danny 's perception of the citizens of McFarland 's races following the accident little just... His address to the four students killed in the movie and Sylvia Diaz ( 3 ) and teammate Magda run! Quite the ego, but Valles tries to stay grounded the ugly details had 4,000 students and he still stopped... To win the first time that many of the most endearing parts of Valles is his humility 3498 ttl in... Share of lines to break through meet title. `` as best I can Catholic in! Parts of Valles is his humility had somebody not been on me hit by vehicle. Until she graduates high school said Sylvia had told a little differently than in the heat the.