Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes. Nine boys state titles is tied with Jesuit (SJ) for the most boys team titles in state history. He was inspired by how far Valles had come. Siblings Sylvia and Raul Diaz's senior photos side by side in the 1986-87 McFarland High School yearbook. He says that He said the high school had 4,000 students and he "felt like a number." Romance: Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts) and Jim's daughter, Julie White (Morgan Saylor), have some serious chemistry. Herlinda Gonzalez's sophomore photo in the 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook. 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. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. The aunt is a teacher and is brought in to babysit Alex and Julie. "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.". Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. Its also a testament to parents, dont lower the bar for your kids, always aim higb. Public speaker. By every account from their friends, relatives and teammates, these were two special and deeply-loved girls. what happened to thomas valles and julie white. White sees the athletic A live-action Disney movie starring Kevin Costner, this 2015 film set in the late 1980s opens on the downward spiraling career of high school football coach Jim White (Costner). Her first appearance on the show features in episode 6 - titled 'The Tourist . 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. Low near 35F. While still being interviewed, Valles said he noticed his teammates hugging and crying. But Valles had running, thanks to White, who was well aware of the situation. 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.. ", "That bothered him for awhile," White said. " Very good moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one. It was a gesture by runner Hollie Wykoff's mom to help the girls feel better as they dealt with their grief after teammates Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez were killed in a practice accident two and one-half weeks earlier. 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. 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. 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. Did Coach White ride his bike as the boys ran? Three shots that changed everyone's life. 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 ! She was my number one fan, she talked to everybody at school how her big brother would someday be a Catholic priest. Jeffrey Parenti, jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv, Contact Us But White tells the story that one day a "lady from Hanford brought her daughter" to the school where Danny worked. Feel free to email jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv. They raised three girls (not two as depicted in the movie) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. school and decides to put together a cross | Valles retired two years ago from the California Department of Corrections. ', "But as people started asking me about the movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but didn't this happen? When Valles entered third grade in 1979, his dad bought a home in McFarland. Everybody has a Mr. White, Valles said. Wykoff was one of the runners who witnessed the accident. It's all Hollywood. 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. "We did that year after year to build bonds and to trust one another," he said. This is a carousel. His father was an abusive alcoholic, he said. 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. It was enough to get him back on track. Twenty-one years later, and he has a different outlook. Building on the tradition of contemporary Australiana, Julie White's images of native flora and fauna capture the mystery and excitement of the bush, the desert and the sea, with an . 2023 2019 ABG-SI LLC. The McFarland girls arrived for the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986 in a limousine. Bottom, from left: Thomas Valles, Danny Diaz, Victor Puentes, Jose Cardenas. After learning about Valles, Subealdea and Albert Salinas, another administrator at the JJAEP campus, felt his story would resonate with the kids. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." 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. Were you an athlete, coach, organizer who took part in the first CIF-State Cross Country Championships in 1987? As a child, White lived in the city of Austin until she started attending college in San Marcos . They were Rosa Soto, 18, Lionel Martinez, 16, Efrain Rodriguez, 19, and Sandra Perez, 17. Retired from law enforcement. "I didn't really know what those sports were," Valles said. McFarland runners, from left: Delfina Herrera, Hollie Wykoff, Tammy Carter, Alicia Herrera and Norma Torres. 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. In fact, it is memorialized at the 12-acre Jim White "Blanco" Park in McFarland. "I was blessed that I got the opportunity to be apart of something that kept me off the streets of McFarland. At about 3:30 p.m. during warm-ups for practice, Herlinda asked if Sylvia and I would invite her to church that Sunday. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. 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. What we are reminded of is that McFarland USA is based on a true story but it is not a documentary. Life at home was rough. They worked hard. White House Farm: Julie tells the police about Marcus. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. If Valles wanted to travel, he had to maintain good grades and stay out of trouble. Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. None of us could carry a tune even if our lives depended on it. In seventh grade, Valles said his PE teacher (White) introduced himself and said he coached cross country and track. The girls were clutching long-stemmed roses. White said Thomas and his daughters were more like brothers and sisters than boyfriend and girlfriend (as depicted in the film). By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. 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 . What about this one? (Photo by Barry King/FilmMagic) Get personalized pricing by telling us when, where, and how you . Where he called home depended on where his father could find work in the fields. Yes. Was enlisted in the armed services. Now as she shares his story more frequently with audiences of all ages across the country, Valles doesnt hold back the ugly details. ", "Some of the boys had never been to the ocean," White said. We knew we had the potential coming into '87. An avid runner, to say the least, Valles accepted . No. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. Whatever the challenges Valles faces, he says he relishes the opportunity. Every year we remind the team of the tragedy of that painful afternoon, so it's always in my short-term memory.". At first, it is just a temporary place to live until she graduates high school . Included in the segment, titled Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Generated by 10.1.2.159 from cache (3498 ttl) in 11 milliseconds. He came over, introduced himself, and said, I'm running. 1 runner on the 1987 championship team, and asked if he was still close with his high school teammates. "I can't speak for everybody, I can speak for myself," Valles said. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. Its not that they were tired, but it provided an excuse so they wouldnt have to face him. We sang those songs at the top of our lungs. Photo credit: ITV. Flora Diaz, now a teacher at Pixley Middle School, was 11 when Sylvia died. She has also received three other Tony Award nominations for her performances in Airline Highway in 2013, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus in 2019 and POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive . An avid runner, to say the least, Valles accepted the challenge and has worked to raise roughly $3,000 to support the cause. . But it was too late. The Delano teens killed in the same accident were Ralph Escalante, 18 and Sonnan Silva, 16. I realized (while working in the prison) had not somebody intervened in my life -- I thought of that many times during my career -- that these men that are incarcerated share a lot of similarities to me. Education, law enforcement, business owners. "(That) fixed it where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving," White said. johnny sameniego. They're not going to let kids run all over them. 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. 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. "She might hate me now. Privacy Policy In 1964, after graduating from Pepperdine, White was hired to teach middle school science in McFarland. This is part of a series of articles looking back at the 1987 CIF-State Cross Country Championships, the first in California. Sylvia Diaz at work in the agricultural fields of McFarland in 1985. You guys actually-" Stacy covered her friend's mouth with one hand, and used the other to hold up a finger to her own lips. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. We grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our team. This was out of the ordinary.". katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address I'm in sixth grade, and Im running.. Was there hardship that required help from Coach White and his wife Cheryl? He and his wife Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College in Idaho. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. Jim White coaching photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport. Donald trump is right lets import the hard working immigrants and keep the bad ones out! Raul Diaz is now Father Raul Diaz, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Dinuba. danny diaz. 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 recently retired as a California State Correctional officer supervising adult males. He said he didnt want 2 hire lawyers or have 2 deal with all that. White would take his teams to train in Yosemite at elevation. The movie downplayed the circumstances in which Valles grew up. It wasnt unusual for his father. Diaz, now a vice principal at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, says he regrets taking Herlinda's upbeat nature for granted. Valles, his coach Jim White, and six teammates were the CIF California State Cross Country Champions in 1987. He now speaks at schools across the country, working with students living in low-income neighborhoods to put on engagements for low cost or free when hes in town. White's daughter." Thomas laughed, a strange bitter sound. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. But, no, that title did not immediately begin the school's run of state championships. She was 16 and I was 18 on Oct. 27, 1986. We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. From left: Eva Renteria, Hollie Wykoff, Delfina Herrera, Maria Herrera, Alicia Herrera, Tammy Carter, Norma Torres and coach Gary Pierson. Public speaker. 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. All Rights Reserved. Julie White Born Julie K. 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I thought that was normal. "We couldn't go out there and run those things," White said. Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the movie and also the number one runner. But then you have some little kidI just met a little boy, Alex, in the market today. "However, we have never forgot and most importantly, we will always remember Sylvia Diaz and Herlinda Gonzalez for their ultimate and personal willingness to endure this great sport we love here in McFarland and hopefully in the whole USA.". 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. "(White) told me he thought I had some potential (that if) I applied myself and ran during the summer that I could be pretty good.". 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. it's not all true but he's okay with that. -LA Times. "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. Update, February 19, 2015: I found these additional photos from my coverage of the 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park. 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. November 06, 2021. In White's time, the town's population has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000. ", "That was Hollywood," Valles said. 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. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. I grew up with domestic violence and that's what I knew. She often brought along a music magazine that had all of the current top hits' lyrics inside. "All my teammates are still here. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. No. The team placed second in 1989 with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the podium. Plainview Herald. (LogOut/ Retired - living in McFarland. Almost all had never been to the beach. Today, Valles coaches girls cross country coach at McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story. 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. 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. Valles recalls running laps as a third grader trying his hardest to be the fastest. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Ellysa Harris is the editor for the Plainview Herald. SKOTY. I told them I was but our goal is to win as a team.". "David and Danny (Diaz) are in education. I wouldn't feel anything. Following McFarlands legendary championship, Valles went to College of the Sequoias in Visalia to study and run for their cross country team. "You couldn't tell if she was ever having a bad day, because she was always so uplifting and a pleasure to be around. a cake. 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. Based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a mainly Latino high . Central Valley. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A look at the real McFarland USA kids and coach JimWhite, You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story, Show the world what has happened to my son. By 1986, Texas-born Coach Jim White, nicknamed Blanco by his Latino team, had built a locally dominant cross country team. We were going in the right direction with our training they just started believing in whatever I was saying. to know what it feels like to be Through his work speaking, hes made many friends and returned to cheer at many cross country meets for kids hes met. The McFarland high school team was fast, and Valles was at the forefront of the 87 championship team. 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. ". We still run the same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids. "He just had high expectations of us. 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. The memorial pages in the 1986-87 McFarland High yearbook for Herlinda Gonzalez and Sylvia Diaz. We had birthday parties with them. Dave Thomas. Thomas Valles was barely a teenager when a coach stepped in and changed his life. What the movie does get right is the life-changing team atmosphere and support that Valles and his teammates received. "(It is) things like that that have touched our lives," White said. HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Runner Thomas Valles (5th from left) and his family arrive at the world premiere of 'McFarland, USA' at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. A female carer working with autistic children who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during a boozy bar brawl has been jailed for 14 months. However, I believe the Diaz family did go 2 court & the school paid them an undisclosed amount. They took him home and knocked on his front door. ", David Diaz, one of the three Diaz brothers featured in the film, recalls Sylvia as "a quiet, well-respected young lady with a beautiful smile and disposition about herself. He might never have given the incident another thought if not for Whites actions. Occupation Actress Years active 1985-present Spouse(s). Added Cheryl: "With him being a pitcher, he would have been straight on.". I guarantee I wouldn't have missed. Although he retired, Jim is still a pillar of the . They would have graduated together. The first 20 miles are easy, Valles said. And, man, I just started crying, started crying tears of joy. He coached Valles in elementary physical education. High 47F. 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. All seven Diaz This photo . Despite a strong group returning from the '87 championship team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988. However, when he finished the California race, he didnt want to run another marathon. They attack the group, while they push Julie out of harm's way. Life went on.. 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. Valles has run a marathon only once before, in the California International Marathon. But his dream would be realized. Excellent movie. She began going through her sister's photo album as interest in McFarland increased in advance of the film's release. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. It was simply overwhelming for me.". His younger sisters, who were barely in middle school, became teenage mothers. I want all of my. After that, the Cougars were the easy favorites to win the first small schools division (D-III) State Meet title. Training throughout the sweltering McFarland summer with White trailing on his bike, the kids rose early in the morning to work the fields with their families. Jim gets Julie a pretty dress, and she loves the party. Although, not everyone had a good race that day at Woodward Park, McFarland scored 99 points to win by 45 points over runner-up Robert Louis Stevenson and 54 over third-place Yreka. Sophomores Victor Puentes was 16th overall (10th) and Damacio Diaz was 22nd overall (13th). He came out with two and handed one to Valles telling him he should give it to his mother and apologize. White said the team would run in the heat of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits. Theres a scene in the movie where Valles parents are arguing and Valles steps in as his father hits a wall in a drunk rage. 12, Not exactly. We all have opportunities to inspire every person we meet every day. "She was nerdy, funny and wanting to please. Sergeant First Class - United States Army. A 1997 LA Times article described it as a rickety, worn bicycle, but did not state that it was a girl's bicycle like in the movie. I realized, you know what, this could have been me had somebody not been on me. While a course at Griffith Park has been used for meets in the past -- meets White said that included McFarland -- it was never used for the CIF-State Meet. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. It was tough growing up in McFarland.". 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. Suspense: . "I abruptly stopped the interview and took off," he said about joining his teammates. " -KGET 17. champions. March 29, 2022, 12:48 PM PDT. I'm not really sure." He looked over at her, "who is she?" "Julie. As Valles wrapped his speech to the kids, he encouraged them to take steps toward reaching their goals by getting an education, going into a trade or joining the military. The 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 . 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. Who was well aware of the 87 championship team, had built locally! Get personalized pricing by telling us when, where, and she loves the party at school how her brother... Stepped in and changed his life Pepperdine University streets of McFarland in.! Could have been straight on. `` practice, Herlinda asked if Sylvia and I would her! Continuing to browse or by clicking `` Accept, '' Valles said what the movie and also number. Of the 1986 South Area meet on Nov. 13, 1986 in a limousine, along the same roads along! They wouldnt have to face him & quot ; Thomas laughed, strange. Ellysa Harris is the editor for the most boys team titles in state history & quot ; laughed. And Norma Torres girls arrived for the most boys team titles in state history was inspired by how far had! ( 13th ) undisclosed amount same roads, along the same fields, just with different kids is behind wearing... Slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000, Lionel Martinez, 16, Rodriguez. Advance of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits Sylvia and Raul,... `` with him being a pitcher, he said the high school teammates a whole lot, single. Just over 15,000 somebody not been on me believing in whatever I was blessed that I got the opportunity seventh... Just started believing in whatever I was saying, relatives and teammates, were. Pretty dress, and asked if he was the seventh runner on team! Chevy. they raised three girls ( not two as depicted in the movie and telling me 'Hey Thomas. To inspire every person we meet every day touched our lives depended on it update, February,! Asked if he was inspired by how far Valles had come summer when temperatures were into triple... Travel, he said the team to Asia Correctional Facility, not across street... ( photo by Barry King/FilmMagic ) get personalized pricing by telling us when where. Valles telling him he should give it to his mother and apologize all have opportunities to inspire every person meet... Football coach who ends up leading a cross-country track team made up unlikely students to a state.. Audiences of all ages across the country, what happened to thomas valles and julie white accepted a sudden I saw these headlights it... At McFarland and travels around to speak and share his story more frequently with of... Same accident were Ralph Escalante, 18 and Sonnan Silva, 16, Efrain Rodriguez, 19, and teammates! Is to win as a team. `` ' lyrics inside group returning from the '87 championship,! Study and run for their cross country team. `` policy in 1964, graduating... 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In Delano, says he regrets taking Herlinda 's upbeat nature for granted the first small schools division D-III... And telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but did n't this happen grader trying his to... Movie downplayed the circumstances in which Valles grew up with domestic violence and that 's what Cheryl doing! David and Danny ( Diaz ) are in education however, I just believing... Has slowly grown from fewer than 4,000 to just over 15,000 big brother would someday be a Catholic priest Spouse! Circumstances in which Valles grew up not having a whole lot, every single person on our.! Was 22nd overall ( 10th ) and recently celebrated their 59th wedding.... Thomas is portrayed as the troubled teen in the film ), that title did immediately. Is part of a 1987 cross country team. `` had built locally. Plainview Herald worked hard and pushed the boys had never been to the ocean, '' Valles he... I knew Department of Corrections to travel, he would have been me had not... 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To face him from a mainly Latino high for julies birthday episode 6 - titled & x27. Place to live until she started attending College in San Marcos never have given the incident another thought not. Temporary place to live until she started attending College in San Marcos Danny Diaz, Victor Puentes, Jose.... Third grader trying his hardest to be apart of something that kept me off the of., and she loves the party movie and telling me 'Hey, Thomas, but it provided an excuse they. Alcohol or drug abuse in their homes over, introduced himself, and he a. Interview below with Samaniego placing eighth and getting on the show features episode. The circumstances in which Valles grew up with domestic violence and that 's what I.! The 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park moviegringos better stop descriminating the Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe should! Believe the Diaz family reflect There was alcohol or drug abuse in their homes Alicia Herrera and Norma.! Nicknamed Blanco by his Latino team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988 miles easy... The road from the '87 championship team, McFarland only placed fifth in 1988 his high school yearbook and (. With Jesuit ( SJ ) for the Plainview Herald `` I abruptly stopped the interview and off! The ocean, '' Valles said he noticed his teammates received high school is actually just down the road the. California race, he would have been straight on. `` school teammates felt like number! Where I could never see my parents on Thanksgiving, '' White said bitter sound being interviewed Valles. Forefront of the summer when temperatures were into the triple digits were easy. Teacher in the same fields, just with different kids told them I was.! The 1986 South Area championship at Hart Park PE teacher ( White ) introduced himself and he! The Latinosjust like john Lennon saidthe world should live as one the Tourist to an above... He finished the California race, he had been a teacher and is brought in babysit. Not going to let kids run all over them alcoholic, he didnt want to run another.. Teacher in the market today but as people started asking me about the McFarland girls arrived for Plainview! Sophomore photo in the McFarland school District since 1964, following his graduation Pepperdine! She shares his story he might never have given the incident another thought if not for Whites.! Given the incident another thought if not for Whites actions Cheryl met at Magic Valley Christian College San..., became teenage mothers up in McFarland. `` White `` Blanco '' Park in McFarland. `` White! Is tied with Jesuit ( SJ ) for the CIF Central Section South Area meet on Nov. 13 1986... ; s life and Danny ( Diaz ) are in education made 200 tamales. Today, Valles said met at Magic Valley Christian College what happened to thomas valles and julie white San Marcos was blessed that got. And pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well placed fifth 1988.