In fact, when the studio gave Valles and his teammates a special sneak preview of the film, he left the theater unimpressed. In 1987, Valles was captain of the legendary McFarland High School running team that became unlikely champions by winning California's first cross country state title and for Valles, it was a transformative achievement. What is the most remarkable thing about the story of the McFarland High School Cross-Country Team, the coach or the success of the boys who have made up the teams? Danny Diaz is now a counselor at McFarland High School. A mother shouts at her husband and asks whether he's going to hit her. Valles once participated in a run to End Duchenne at the 2021 New York Marathon and raised about $3,000 to support the cause and is excited to have the opportunity to run again and do it for a cause. Both gangs think that the other gang is totally different than they are, but they come to find out that they share a lot more traits than they thought. Mikey, with his nonchalant attitude, unwisely trashes his marijuana. In the movie, Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a high school teacher and coach who lets his temper flare up way too often. class, Jim, who sits in the bleachers and barks out orders to run laps, notices how fast some of his students areeven after working in the fields before coming to school. The first time Valles got real with an audience, a kid approached him afterward. One man makes suggestive motions toward Julie, prompting the family to leave faster. We were recruited young. How did the other teams underestimate the McFarland boys? He gave of himself, fully, year after year, with sensitivity and insight. Its an opportunity for 32 teams to partially transform their rosters essentially overnight. Its then he asks the principal to let him organize a cross-country team. One of Ozus finest works, Late Spring is the tale of a widower who pretends to be engaged so he can convince his lonely daughter to enter into a marriage of her own and leave the family nest. What Time Does the 2023 NFL Draft Start Today? His older brothers started getting mixed in the wrong crowds and experimenting with drugs. Valles is now a coach at McFarland High School, a motivational speaker, and he's training for his first New York City Marathon. Jim knows he has to make this school his last stophes out of options, with both his career and his family and finds himself in a diverse, economically-challenged community that feels worlds apart from his previous hometowns. He also attended the films premiere in Los Angeles with his daughters and wife earlier this month. My character, Ponyboy Curtis, is an intelligent and caring kid who is the youngest child in the Curtis family. Based on a true story, the movie stars Kevin Costner as the team's coach, who's determined to guide a bunch of farm workers' kids into a team that's good enough to compete in the state's first cross-country championship. What are the dangers of stereotyping and discrimination? This event and his hatred of Jon ties into Shayne Blank as it becomes the starting point in their friendship. Without Mrs. White, I dont think any of this would have happened. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Why is McFarland, USA rated PG? After losing his job in Boise, his only option is to move his family to McFarland, California where he gets a position in a high school beleaguered with poverty, teen pregnancy and gangs. 'McFarland' Movie Helps One of Original Runners Get Back On Track, For Victor Puentes, one of the subjects of the Disney film. Christopher still possesses limited communication skills. Jim is hired to teach physical education and life science, but his goal is to put in just enough time to repair his resume and get a better job at a more prestigious school. Based on a true story, the movie stars Kevin Costner as the team's coach, who's determined to guide a bunch of farm workers' kids into a team that's good. And hes optimistic that the film will be the catalyst that helps him stay away from drugs for good. Valles is now a motivational speaker and speaks at schools all over the world. By Sandie Angulo Chen, In 1987 he was a runner for the McFarland High Cross Country team. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. His first game in the postseason that year was against the Seahawks, led by fellow rookie Russell Wilson. (You're not going to expect them to lose if someone has bothered to make a movie about them.) Even high school wrestlers get more screen time than high school runners. "In the movie, it kind of shows two hours and nine minutes in length, the challenges we had growing up in the community and we're still there trying to give back to kids that are still struggling with some of the challenges we had," Valles said. There are many products, including water, which would have been better for this purpose and less harmful than Coca-Cola. He coached Valles in elementary physical education. Coach Jim White challenged him and his peers to run. They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development. Coach White had never even coached cross country before creating the team at McFarland; he's winging it just as much as the boys, who really only know how to run fast at first -- with no notion of pacing or hill and speed work. Gaelan Connell stars as a David Bowie-obsessed kid whos asked to manage the band of a would-be singer-songwriter (Alyson Michalka). David Oyelowo stars in this drama about a med student whose life is upended when her husband is incarcerated, from Selma director Ava DuVernay. My parents always encouraged us to work hard.. 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. Pony boy Curtis- The narrator of the story. Also Gatorade, Coleman camping equipment, Mayflower truck, U-Haul. It wasnt unusual for his father. His phone was busy for hours, but I finally got through. Its a subject he was shy to address when he rather reluctantly got into the speaker circuit in 2017. Pro Football Network, LLC. What follows is a disquieting journey into the depths of the soul, and one of Ingmar Bergmans greatest achievements. Guy Ritchies stylish crime comedy stars Jason Statham, Stephen Graham, Brad Pitt, and an esteemed ensemble cast in a raucous caper centered around a stolen diamond. In what ways do the members of the community reach out to the coach and his family? WebThey settle down in McFarland, California in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. Puentes began experimenting with drugs and battled addiction off and on for many years. I screwed up.. The houses in which the family stayed belonged to farm owners. Without them, there wouldnt be a legacy.. The next day, Jim asks the principal whether he can start a cross-country team and puts together a motley crew of runners that range from the reluctant Thomas, who only participates in exchange for not getting suspended, to wise-cracking Johnny (Hector Duran), vain Victor (Sergio Avelar), and the three Diaz brothers, one of whom (Danny) is considerably bigger than the average distance runner. Jon Brand, being the tempered bully that he is, threatens to violently beat Mikey up unless he pays him $500, the estimated street value of his drugs. At a cross-country race almost 30 years ago, the gun sounds and the seven boys from McFarland High burst across the starting line amid a stampede of runners from around the state. It took all of us to make thisevery runner who won a state championship from McFarland made this happen, not just myself or the seven runners. Saturday, April 29 (Rounds 4-7): 12 p.m. He later joined the U.S. Coast Guard. Alcohol / Drug Use:Characters drink beer in a social setting. Were part of his life, Puentes says. Upset that his wife put him in jail, he got out and filed for divorce. 775 McFarland Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004. He encouraged the kids to find their own mentor. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details. "I'm 52 now, I try to run some miles in the morning and then do a few miles with my team in the evenings. Christopher interacts properly with his family members and, Danny Diaz is now a counselor at McFarland High School. Valles story was featured in the Disney movie McFarland USA. Valles and his teammates were the CIF California State Cross Country Champions in 1987. All text and audiovisual content, unless otherwise attributed is One Voice Communications LTD. All Rights Reserved, 8 Kevin Costner Movies You Wont Want to Miss, 10 Inspiring Teacher Movies to Watch as Your Kids Head Back to School, 10 Best Teacher Movies for Back-to-school Time, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World, Three Family Films for Black History Month, Movie Reviews Made Especially For Parent and Family Magazines. How do running stories compare to those about other sports? * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts Submit a News Tip, Karl Lagerfeld legacy showcased in Met exhibit, Tips for dealing with flood-related losses after the storm, Manhunt enters 3rd day for alleged Texas mass killer. Puentes said his troubles didnt begin until after high school. This coming-of-age drama stars Michelle Hendley as a young transgender woman navigating the complex relationship she forms with another woman whos engaged to a soldier. "I realized had somebody not intervened in my life at a young age, I would have been one of those statistics and I would have been wearing the orange jumpsuit instead of wearing the uniform and the badge.". The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ESPN and this ABC station. He has brown almost red hair and greenish-grey eyes. I kind of feel the aches and pains in my calves, in one of my knees," Valles said. As you can guess, this series of events following Jons abusive actions kindles their involvement in matters leading to Shaynes confession of. Soon something beyond their physical gifts impresses Whitethe power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. A character is shot in an off-screen gang fight. Newly available for purchase this week on streaming video, weve got an inspirational Disney sports drama starring Kevin Costner, the latest Liam Neeson-powered crime thriller, and a small but well-received teen drama. Its the last six miles that get you.. Letting their boys give up time in the fields to practice running doesnt make sense, especially after the team takes dead last at their first meet. WebThe official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. - Walt Disney Pictures. Victor Puentes, member of the 1987 McFarland cross country team, has battled drug addiction. The movies about Mr. White. Parents need to know that McFarland, USA is an inspiring sports drama about a Mexican-American cross-country team from rural California. One of the best qualities of Valles is how humble he has stayed no matter how far hes gone. One day, White follows one of his students, Thomas (Carlos Pratts), who can run an almost five-minute mile. Common Sense Media Reviewers Get personalized recommendations. class, but he knew I was going through some tough times in school because I'm dyslexic, grew up in a home with domestic violence, my dad was an alcoholic. "We persevered, especially me, through sport. Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. Do you want to put your speech on paper? They still have a home in McFarland, and after Jim retired, they bought one in the nearby mountains, too, "where the air is cleaner." Its changed my confidence. As Jim learns to coach runners and the guys learn to compete as a team, they set their sights on California's first statewide cross-country championship. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Its just something to be proud of. If youve watched McFarland USA, you may know a little of his story already. Its not about me, its not about the other runners. Disneys McFarland stars Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Morgan Saylor, Martha Higareda, Valente Rodriguez, Vanessa Martinez, Chris Ellis, Johnny Ortiz, Hector Duran, Sergio Avelar, Michael Aguero, Rafael Martinez and Ramiro Rodriguez and is directed by Niki Caro with screenplay by Grant Thompson. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Liam Neeson plays Jimmy, a broken-down mob assassin with a long personal and professional history with crime boss Shawn (Ed Harris). The fact that the boys were able to learn and profit from his coaching and that many of them went to college and later worked in jobs their parents could only dream about, is the most important story. In 1987 he was a runner for the McFarland High Cross Country team. He is a mysterious kid and not much is known about him and his background at the start. Valles told the kids he and his siblings would get to bed early on the nights his dad went out for drinks. Danny Diaz is now a counselor at McFarland. The program, which is run by Eddie Subealdea, chief juvenile probation officer for Hale County, is an alternative placement program. Liam Neeson plays Jimmy, a broken-down mob assassin with a long personal and professional history with crime boss Shawn (Ed Harris). Underdog, fish out of water, and the sentimental feel goods that encourage just a tear or twothis film has all of that. NEW YORK (WABC) -- As a boy, Thomas Valles could never have imagined that his running ability would shape the course of his life or someday inspire a Hollywood movie, but that's exactly what happened. Suggested Response: There is no one correct response. McFarland releases February 20, 2015. From 1987 to 2003, his team won nine state championships in Divisions III Its about McFarland. With that in mind, he does more than just push the boys on the race course. Thomas gets in a fight with someone who insults his sister. McFarland High School, in California, boasts only a group of disadvantaged students until a coach (Kevin Costner) sees the potential to transform some of the kids into cross-country runners. "However Disney made it a good story is based on Mr. Whites accomplishment with us, with the nine state championships and everything else. Mr. White found me and recruited me in junior high to run because I was in his P.E. Read more about how we rate and review. Its hard to believe those two guys faced off in their first playoff appearances, and that Washington actually led 14-0, with Seattle finally taking the lead midway through the fourth quarter.
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