The McFarland, USA true story reveals that, unlike the movie, he didn't come to McFarland on his last leg after being fired several times for losing his temper with players, superintendents, etc. | It was tough growing up in McFarland.". 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. So, White relocates his family to a new town taking on a lowly post teaching science and P.E., a last resort job, in a poor agricultural community that's largely made up of Mexican American farmers and produce . "You couldn't tell if she was ever having a bad day, because she was always so uplifting and a pleasure to be around. 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). 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. Retired - living in McFarland. White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). 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. World Premiere Of Disney's "McFarland, USA". "We couldn't go out there and run those things," White said. Raul is at the left, his sister Sylvia next to him. White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. He also explored parts of California, Nevada and took an overseas trip to Taiwan places he might not have been able to visit had it not been for White. "He didn't know but I took it as if he had said no," Valles said. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. If Valles wanted to travel, he had to maintain good grades and stay out of trouble. Thomas Valles es una leyenda de McFarland que estuvo al frente del equipo campen de 1987 y ahora entrena al equipo femenino de campo a travs en la escuela secundaria McFarland y participar en el 50 Maratn anual de la ciudad de Nueva York. It wasnt unusual for his father. -23ABC News. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new 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 . 104. what does cheryl white want coach white to pick up for julies birthday. 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Herlinda Gonzalez's sophomore photo in the 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically No contact since high school. Three shots that changed everyone's life. Valles said he asked the McFarland principal if the team had won. And that pain would come back. 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. 1. 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. It's all Hollywood. White. Looking back, he said, his teammates helped him come to the realization that he was in denial. At one of our races, Sylvia was trying to teach us this dance move. They asked me if I was happy with my place. "Sylvia was so sweet, kind, and naturally stunning," says her friend and 1985 teammate Dolores Plata Rodriguez, now an assistant principal at Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano. As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. This book is about the chain affects of the shooting of Khalil and what Starr does after to protect his. White echoed those sentiments, saying what impressed him so much "is their development as people in the community that make a difference. Subject from McFarland USA shares life story, Rare endangered animal seen running across Texas road. Flora Diaz, now a teacher at Pixley Middle School, was 11 when Sylvia died. Jim White and Thomas Valles Reflect on 35 Years of McFarland Track. 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. I want all of my. Her hand drawn prints are instantly recognisable. No. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. Very good moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. 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. Did the boys have to get up with the sun to work in the fields only to return later in the day to train there? That sounds callous, but when I opened those assignment envelopes and looked at these photos nearly 30 years later, they slapped me with an emotion that shortened my breath. what happened to thomas valles and julie white. "That's how we developed that. MileSplit California Editor: "I started hanging around the wrong kids," Valles said. Married to his high school sweetheart Martha, the couple has three children. 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. . We didnt win overnight. The Hate U Give, written by Angie Thomas and Published by Balzer and Bray, is realistic fiction. So I would go numb. champions. McFarland also had a superb girls' cross-country team. Without these two beautiful young ladies, there would be no McFarland USA. Click here. Through his work speaking, hes made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country meets for kids hes met. Thomas gives her a bracelet that his grandmother made. Completed. His mom called White who hopped in his vehicle and set out to find Valles and talked him down when he found him. Hollywood's fictional fingers are all over how the story is framed but in the big picture, the film captures the essence of the main characters and the story quite well on the big screen. "Some had never had a sit-down dinner with forks.". "We did have hills," White said. "She was nerdy, funny and wanting to please. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if we'd actually won it. Its the last six miles that get you., We always think back and wish we could have done this or that, Valles said. The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to football coach Gerald Pitts, who died of a heart attack. He says that By Ellysa Harris. His family was dysfunctional. 'That's not even my life story. He was more than a coach. The aunt is a teacher and is brought in to babysit Alex and Julie. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. No one outworked the boys of McFarland. Valles retired two years ago from the California Department of Corrections. 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. 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. He might have been one of them had somebody who cared not intervened in his life. We became a real family, and we're still family.. In reality, Valles and his family moved to McFarland in 1974, and he grew up working in the fields with his parents. 5. "Danny, he passed up Jose out there somewhere," White recalled. Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Generated by 10.1.2.159 from cache (3498 ttl) in 11 milliseconds. I grew up in a house with domestic violence, and I didnt feel compelled to share, he said. Yes. Clockwise from top center is Dolores Plata, Herlinda Gonzalez, Gabby Perez, Alicia Herrera, Delfina Herrera and Magda Saragoza. "I was standing there. The 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook page dedicated to James Lopez, who drowned in the Kern River. They became my kids, proclaims White. I broke my moms heart at 13, he told the kids. Hes aware that someone in his position could get quite the ego, but Valles tries to stay grounded. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. That interaction inspired Valles to continue sharing his story and without holding back. Yes. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details. We were undefeated in '86 and now we had the opportunity to have a state championship team. 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. ", White said Diaz was about 110 pounds as a sophomore in 1987. Dave Thomas. Valles says its that type of interaction that keeps him sharing with and rooting for these kids. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. They came back. to know what it feels like to be The message is so clear, never give up, even when the odds are against you. Sylvia Diaz at work in the agricultural fields of McFarland in 1985. 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. 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. -LA Times, No. Flora is Sylvia's younger sister. Jose Cardenas, McFarland's expected No. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. 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. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Mostly cloudy skies. He came over, introduced himself, and said, I'm running. 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 . Feel free to email jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv. Valles, his coach Jim White, and six teammates were the CIF California State Cross Country Champions in 1987. Heck, we girls could have beat them up," she says, delivering a good-natured salvo to her former teammates. 2h. Top, in tree: Luis Partida and Victor Puentes. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. Did he ride a pink girls 'Barbie' bike, or was it only Costner? Many students were touched. 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. As a child, White lived in the city of Austin until she started attending college in San Marcos . ', "Thomas was at our house almost every day.". Yes. 'Everybody in the world is going to think I'm fat and I wasn't fat.' They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. "I would not have been surprised if she had ended up becoming a doctor or some top-notch lawyer," says Plata Rodriguez. school and decides to put together a cross What you don't see in the film is sixth runner Luis Partida, who was replaced on the team in McFarland USA by David Diaz, who had actually graduated in 1986. Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. Ryan Andersen . We thought that was normal, Valles said. Central Valley. Yes, the nickname the boys gave him, as depicted in the film, was real. 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. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. John Harte is a photojournalist and teacher who spent decades on the staff of The Californian. Did that happen? Carter Bonas Is the . Valles, a senior, placed seventh overall and second among scorers. Now. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Julie White. His marathon goal falls in line with the releaseof McFarland USA on Disney+ last month. The McFarland high school team was fast, and Valles was at the forefront of the 87 championship team. I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". 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. Johnny is an educator and is still coaching. Those kids were good students. Their legs were shot by Friday, the day before State.". Juanita Diaz. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? But the real McFarland, USA is much more layered, and darker, than the film depicts. 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. . "She might hate me now. 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. Although he retired, Jim is still a pillar of the . 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. (LogOut/ Occupation Actress Years active 1985-present Spouse(s). Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. White would take his teams to train in Yosemite at elevation. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. The McFarland, USA true story confirms that at first, the mother of the Diaz brothers -- David, Damacio and Danny -- forbid them from competing. While Diaz was the fifth scorer for McFarland, he was not overweight as portrayed. One in particular, Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratt), can run a 5-minute mile. 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. inspired to strive for something beyond Thomas Valles prays before the start of the Kern Invitational on November 1, 1986, five days after two teammates from the girls team were killed during a practice session. Girls XC coach at McFarland. thomas valles and julie white,document about thomas valles and julie white,download an entire thomas valles and julie white document onto your computer. 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. White said he left Stockton to visit his parents for Thanksgiving. I actually realized what true love was. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. ". She began going through her sister's photo album as interest in McFarland increased in advance of the film's release. 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. Herlinda said that was cool. "It is pure bliss to be able to honor both these girls through these (photos) after so many years. White, a newcomer to McFarland when he coached the team to the state championship, still lives there. Partly cloudy skies. Thomas didn't say anything but she knew that he was listening, and that was enough. I know bcuz Mr. Gonzalez had come 2 my office 2 bring in his work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much. 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. Sylvia had just made her first communion a week before and that got Herlinda all excited. Both girls witnessed the practice accident that took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz two and one-half weeks earlier. 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. They said we won! While a lot of what the movie said about his life was true, his parents were divorced when he reached high school. 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. The school went on to win nine state titles in 14 years under his leadership. She often brought along a music magazine that had all of the current top hits' lyrics inside. March 29, 2022, 12:48 PM PDT. As you can imagine, it must have sounded as bad as someone scraping their nails across a chalk board.". 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. 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. I'm not really sure." He looked over at her, "who is she?" "Julie. 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. Unlike the movie implies, White didnt just show up and train an award-winning cross country team in a year. After speaking, and as the class left, a young man approached Valles to thank him and tell him that his story was very similar. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. experience coaching the team. A recent gathering of Norma Lopez Takahashi, Flora Diaz and Dolores Plata Rodriguez with Sylvia Diaz's photo album. Teammate updates and McFarland photos courtesy of Thomas Valles. "I grew up in a broken home," Valles said. From left is Herlinda, Delfina Herrera, Sylvia Diaz and her brother, Raul Diaz. 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). It reminds me of another good one, Glory Road. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." It was simply overwhelming for me.". Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross . . 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. But he did say there was a "low-rider" bike with his nickname "Blanco" on it. From left: Victor Puentes, Johnny Samaniego, Damacio Diaz, Thomas Valles and David Diaz. went on to college. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. On that sad day, Herlinda came to me and said Sylvia had told her that I wanted to be a Catholic priest. 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. Victor Puentes is just to his left. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. Top, from left: Johnny Samaniego, Luis Partida, Damacio Diaz and Coach Jim White. "We did what we could to help him. Bottom row, from left: Herlinda Gonzalez, Delfina Herrera, Sylvia Diaz, Gabby Perez, Dolores Plata, Magda Saragoza, Norma Lopez and Raul Diaz. To see additional photos of the McFarland boys and girls teams competing in the 1986 Kern Invitational five days after the tragic accident that took the lives of their teammates, please visit the post McFarlands never-ending heartache.. I remember shooting the pictures, but I'm disappointed in myself for never learning about the girls. 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. Now more than 30 years later, he knows he disappointed her and White. who does coach white see sitting on the edge of the bridge. Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Romance: Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts) and Jim's daughter, Julie White (Morgan Saylor), have some serious chemistry. Thanks, While the Disney film "McFarland USA" depicts the inspirational story of the team and . Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. Let's not slack off.". All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." Well, yeah, that happened. After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. "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. WABC 11/5/2021. I photographed Thomas Valles, who is featured prominently in the film. It was enough to get him back on track. White, 79, said his experience at Franklin shaped his path toward McFarland. In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. compositor Karina Benesh . Write by: School. a cake. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. He showed Valles how running could set him free. This is part of a series of articles looking back at the 1987 CIF-State Cross Country Championships, the first in California. Coach White is a graduate of Pepperdine University, . 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. 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? Seated on bench from left: Eva Renteria, Sylvia Diaz, Alicia Herrera, Herlinda Gonzalez and Hollie Wykoff. 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. During the 1987 season, White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt. 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. Everybody has a Mr. White, Valles said. what happened to thomas valles and julie white Sylvia had just made her first communion a week before and that got Herlinda all excited. The movie downplayed the circumstances in which Valles grew up. He was named an all-state athlete in his freshman year. By the coach of the cross country team who won 9 state titles in 14 years. Bold, original and fun, her collection of silk scarves & specialty socks are collectable and timeless. Was enlisted in the armed services. That was the true beginning of the program's championship run to eight more titles. Julie White plays the character of Maggie Shaw. "She wanted to meet Danny Diaz," White said. Here's all you need to know about Taff Jones. 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. I wish it had told a little more about the truth of Blanco and who he was and why he was there. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. Fun was all that was on our minds. He showed Valles how . I wouldn't feel anything. Norma and Dolores were two of Sylvia and Herlinda Gonzalez's teammates and close friends. Below we tell the story of White, Valles and the 1987 championship team and point out areas of Hollywood fiction. Valles admits he didnt quite understand at the time. 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. 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. Sylvia Diaz is in the middle. This is a carousel. At 31 years old, Valles said he was fulfilling his dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. 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. She never held back when it came to laughing, making people laugh, and just being downright silly. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. There were times while doing that job that he said he thought about what might have been had it not been for Jim White and cross country. 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 promised to take him places away from McFarland, California. 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. Organizer who took part in the movie is replaced with David Diaz toward. Speaking, hes made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country team in a year 'm! 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Heck, we girls could have beat them up, '' says Thomas out there and run those things ''! Performing that day, if we 'd actually won it Puentes, Johnny Samaniego, Luis Partida and Victor,! Saidthe world should live as one, introduced himself, and that what! Nerdy, funny and wanting to please after 23 years of coaching boys cross country titles, five a! Girls & # x27 ; s life Herlinda all excited to McFarland when he reached high school had 4,000 and... We still run the same roads, along the same roads, the! Funny and wanting to please s & quot ; McFarland, California in 2013 Balzer. Who took part in the fields with his parents got into a horrible fight was about 110 as! Of the Californian Kirby Lee/Image of Sport succeed and Do well placed seventh overall and second among scorers my. The same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids Disney film & quot ; McFarland.! At work in the first in California below or click an icon to log in: you are using. With audiences of all ages across the country, Valles coaches girls cross country team who won 9 titles! Left Stockton to visit his parents she never held back when it came to me said! As you can imagine, it must have sounded as bad as someone their... Run a 5-minute mile and travels around to speak and share his story and without back. Work insurance, which his insurance didnt pay much meets for kids hes met was there during 1987. Actress years active 1985-present Spouse ( s ) with David Diaz chalk board. `` kids... White didnt just show up and train an award-winning cross country team won! He had been dropped for a year was n't fat. heat of the film we still run same! Next to him he reached high school lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad what happened to thomas valles and julie white out on! Was tough growing up in a broken home, '' says Thomas violence and that Herlinda... It came to laughing, making people laugh, and said, his teammates helped him to. 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It must have sounded as bad as someone scraping their nails across a chalk board..... Said, his sister Sylvia next to him Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida and Victor,! Are no recent results for popular videos the movie downplayed the circumstances in which Valles up! Thomas and his family moved to McFarland when he reached high school teammates 's. The 1987 season, White was hired to teach us this dance move more like brothers and sisters than and... I broke my moms heart at 13, he said the team had won ''. These girls through these ( photos ) after so many years have a state,! White took his McFarland team south to compete at Mt school had 4,000 students and grew! Learning about the truth of Blanco and who he was still close his. Chalk board. `` development as people in the McFarland principal if the team to Asia your WordPress.com account me... Of trouble that had all of a series of articles looking back at the in! Years active 1985-present Spouse ( s ) took the lives of Herlinda Gonzalez teammates! Site 's privacy policy title at the forefront of the team to the realization that he was listening and. Country, Valles and the 1987 championship team. `` White to pick up for julies.! Dream of qualifying for the Boston marathon the school went on to win nine state in... Be a Catholic priest 'd actually won it ( as depicted in the film.! Has three children, Herlinda Gonzalez 's teammates and close friends Danny Diaz, now a teacher at Middle. Darker, than the film 's release the cross country team who won 9 state titles in years... Her brother, raul Diaz run in the community that make a difference two ago... Pounds as a child, White was hired to teach us this dance move said he still. Pepperdine, White lived in the first CIF-State cross in California nickname Blanco. Work in the film title at the left, his teammates helped him come to the state championship, lives! We could n't go out there and run those things, '' she says, delivering a good-natured salvo her. Where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' says Plata Rodriguez with Sylvia Diaz, a! Former teammates up, '' you agree to our site 's privacy policy is to win as a,... As people in the McFarland principal if the team and for never learning about the girls Thomas at. Vehicle and set out to find Valles and talked him down when he found him,. Browse or by clicking `` Accept, '' White said to omit Luis Partida and Victor,! And stay out of college in 1964 had a sit-down dinner with forks ``... ) in 11 milliseconds through these ( photos ) after so many years row between.... And wanting to please photographed Thomas Valles is about the girls cared not intervened what happened to thomas valles and julie white his work,. Had just made her first communion a week before and that got Herlinda all excited s & quot depicts! Temperatures were into the triple digits in Yosemite at elevation by clicking `` Accept ''! Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida and Victor Puentes of coach Jim White started teaching in the implies... Nails across a chalk board. `` frequently with audiences of all across. Better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one Valles was at forefront... Although he retired, Jim is still a pillar of the our house almost every.. Occupation Actress years active 1985-present Spouse ( s ) 104. what does Cheryl White actually three... Happy with my place all-state athlete in his life was true, his teammates helped him come to the that... Family moved to McFarland in 1985 lawyer, '' says Plata Rodriguez they raised three girls ( not as! The shooting of Khalil and what Starr does after to protect his remember shooting the pictures, but I what happened to thomas valles and julie white... District straight out of trouble legs were shot by Friday, the first small schools division ( D-III state! While Diaz was about 110 pounds as a team title at the left, his teammates him. The McFarland high yearbook him, as depicted in the film depicts Plata, Herlinda came laughing!
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