I can understand your disappointment at your personal performance and I cannot take away those feelings but I what I can share is how I felt and that was a profound sense of pride and admiration toward fellow Mexican-American. Stay in touch. The inspirational message of the movie is essentially true. Here are our top 10 picks, Super Mario Bros. Movie hits $1 billion, is No. "I was off that day and, as in the movie, Danny Diaz came from behind to ensure our victory. And there was cotton," he said. It was awkward doing the red carpet, he says, but it was a lot of fun.. 1987 was the first year that the state cross-country championship race was offered to schools. "Jose Cardenas had had a bad race," Valles recalled recently about his teammate who was the team's seventh runner that day, finishing 148th. Many other shots of the town and high school were also filmed on-location. Its amazing how everybody is connected to it. Visit MrsKathyKing's profile on Pinterest. Joe Vaughn is best known for leading the Buena High, California girl's basketball team to 500 plus victories. We were a poor community, but we were not underdogs in the athletic sense.. 2. Its been an emotional roller coaster, but they put together a very good movie for a general audience, Cardenas says. Photo by RON PHILLIPS -- From left, David Diaz (Rafael Martinez), Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts), Victor Puentes (Sergio Avelar), Danny Diaz (Ramiro Rodriguez), Jose Cardenas (Johnny Ortiz) and Johnny Sameniego (Hector Duran) are featured in a scene from 'McFarland USA.'. Then computers.". That final championship race. The students spend long hours with their parents picking cotton, sugar beets, almonds, citrus and grapes in the areas vast produce fields. McFarland also had a superb girls cross-country team. The family quickly goes home. The Cougars finished sixth last week at the CIF Central Section Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno. White taught fifth-grade science and seventh- and eighth- grade PE and woodshop. When we run, we own the earth. In the rest of the movie, he takes a back seat to the actors portraying the runners who performed better at the race. "That wasn't quite true, either," Cardenas said. . Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France Lat Long Coordinates Info. Aix-les-Bains, city and Alpine spa, Savoie dpartement, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes rgion, southeastern France, southwest of Geneva. "McFarland, USA" tells a heartwarming story about . Regardless, all opinions are honest and our own. P.S. Not immigrant no more. However, just when it seems like the team will lose, Danny, the overweight runner on the team who typically never finishes fast enough to score points, picks up speed and reaches the finish line fast enough to secure the needed points for McFarland to win the championship. 3. Marsh says she hopes the movie will help her runners understand that hard work pays off. True. She eventually concluded that it was good for them as long as they still worked. Omissions? Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Fresno to five . The mantra at our house has all ways been that good luck and opportunity comes through HARD WORK. In June 2016 he plead guilty and his sentencing will occur in September 2016. Every word was right on. The 67-year-old Cardenas was born in Mexico but moved to the United States when he was seven years old. Victor Puentes. He remains an active and well-loved member of the McFarland community, often working with youth. McFarland, USA 2015 Stars: Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts, Johnny Ortiz Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport Rating: PG Runtime: 129 minutes Track coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a newcomer to a predominantly Latino high-school in California's Central Valley. Jose, who was one of the top four runners for the team and a key scorer, really did start the race too fast, a very unusual move for a runner who had just recently ran the same course perfectly. Population stats are from the United States Census Bureau. But by going out so fast, I had endangered our dream. White wonders if he made a mistake. I agree, Griselda, he is an inspiration to people all over the world. Jose Cardenas always wanted to serve in the military. They were a family. When we run, our spirits fly. You set out sprinting, on fire to prove something. Nonetheless, the real challenges White and his team face pull the viewer along for the ride. The film opens with Jim White coaching a high school football game in Boise, Idaho. The father agrees. It happens to all runners at least once, she says. If I had run as well as I did the previous week on the same course when we won the regional championship, the state race would not have been a nail-biter. You pushed too hard; you didnt last. Jose Cardenas has made peace with seeing his life splashed across the silver screen. After graduating high school in 1990, Johnny went to College of the Sequoias and competed as a runner from 1990-1992. Then. Jim sees this and knows that Jose has put too much into the start of the race and will likely fall back at the end. White really did go and work in the fields and pick crops with his runners to show support to them and their families, as it is portrayed in the film. But lets talk about that race. You were born in a community where that was not true, but with the blessings of a great coach and other adults topoint the way to other paths, you made that your reality. Jose Cardenas, 67, stands at U.S.-Mexico border fence in Tijuana that has been painted with the names of deported U.S. veterans. Your email address will not be published. Its a beautiful story of perseverance, teamwork and community! I will look for more pieces by you, as well. 1 for 4 weeks, Jack Nicholson returns courtside to cheer beloved Lakers to playoff win. 5. DMS (degrees, minutes and seconds) format. (1999) 25,732; (2014 est.) Jose Cardenas, McFarland's expected No. In California, Cardenas notes, the movie is a lot bigger deal. His former team members are making the rounds, speaking at schools and churches. No one is perfect. Jose Cardenas Carlos Pratts. An hour of discussions and plans and ideas followed and they all said: you gave it a try, you had so much heart and wanted to give victory to your team mates. The reality is much less dramatic: he started teaching in the McFarland school district in 1964 and only middle school after graduating from Pepperdine University. feeling awkward and labored. Cardenas was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970, served seven years in the U.S. military and was deported in 2009 after a drug conviction. Jim retired in 2002 after 23 years of coaching and continued to serve as a volunteer coach occasionally. Cardenas and his wife, Melody who has family in Rowan County attended the movies premiere, and got to meet the actor who portrayed him, as well as Costner. He sees McFarland students running all over the community, including the produce fields. I was born ina family where everyone goes to college. Like his new students in McFarland, hes beaten down, carries a chip on his shoulder, is pessimistic about the future. You and your friends worked in the mornings before school and on the weekends in the fields picking vegetables and fruit, just about the hardest (and most important) work anyone can imagine. Jose, you are a success & a hero. Gang problems, as depicted in the film, were a real issue in McFarland. There are currently 37 luxury homes for sale in Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes on JamesEdition. Victor Puentes served a sentence at the penitentiary, but continued his education and got a good job. Upon his release, he returned to college to continue his education and landed a quality job on a ranch. Their oldest daughter, Tami, is not depicted in the film. In 1999, police caught him driving a meth dealer around, and he was convicted of drug conspiracy. Johnny Sameniego and the six other runners were all close friends and in an interview for the movie, he mentioned that they all grew up living within a quarter mile of each other and did everything together. McFarland was a more balanced community of Latino and white residents then. Now, 28 years later, Cardenas has had to relive that vexing memory because his performance is a focal part of "McFarland, USA," a film occupying theaters nationwide. Thanks Laura for this wonderful and insightful letter to MR JOSE CARDENAS. See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by . McFarland, USA tells a heartwarming story about underdogs who, to the surprise of everyone, including themselves, establish a sports dynasty. The album has been published and can. Danny Diaz, who is depicted as overweight in the film, was not overweight in real life. Jim White retired from coaching and still lives in . You are a father. McFarland won a state-record of nine championships with Jim White as coach. Pretty much our whole team is going to be there, she says. Please feel free to share with your friends by click on the share button. It saddens me that he viewed the race as the biggest disappointment of his youth, but in the same sense I admire his vulnerability & honesty. Like yours. Jose Cardenas, left, and actor Johnny Ortiz attend the premiere of Disneys McFarland, USA at the El Capitan Theatre on Feb. 9, 2015, in Hollywood, California. Too often I have found that our own will criticize those of us who want something better and different. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. If I had run as well as I did the previous week on the same course when we won the regional championship, the state race would not have been a nail-biter. Es uno de los tres hermanos Diaz, lo ms gordito, el ancla del equipo. Since his retirement, he has also traveled the country as a motivational speaker and to help promote the movie. Damacio eventually returned to McFarland and was active in the McFarland community, was loved by many, and excelled at his job as a police officer. I wish you and your family all the best. Kevin Costner stars as the coach of a seven-member team of cross-country underdogs. Thats want counts as much as a victory itself. 1987 was a tragic year in many ways for McFarland, which made the teams cross-country title even more meaningful for a community struck by grief. I knew a movie involving one of the biggest disappointments in my youth might be made someday. Track coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a newcomer to a predominantly Latino high-school in California's Central Valley. Appreciate your different philosophical way to look at things. Samaniego ran for the track and field team at CSUB because they didnt have a cross-country team. 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. Photo by RON PHILLIPS -- From left, Johnny Sameniego (Hector Duran), Victor Puentes (Sergio Avelar), Damacio Diaz (Michael Aguero), Danny Diaz (Ramiro Rodriguez), Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), Jose Cardenas (Johnny Ortiz), Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts) and David Diaz (Rafael Martinez) share a scene in 'McFarland, USA.' "It worries me because you never know whats going to happen, and you cant do nothing here," he says. To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy. The head coach complains to Principal Camillo and has Jim removed from his post as assistant coach. Subsequently, McFarland High School missed qualifying for the 2014 State Meet for the first time in 24 years; many feel the school is being punished for its success. The school is notable for its succession of twenty-four CIF Central Section championships in cross country between 1987 and 2013. Mr. White was our physical education teacher, and thats when he first encouraged us to run cross-country. First:; I want to say that I loved the poem Jose wrote. Victor Puentes served a sentence at the penitentiary, but continued his education and got a good job. Where did Thomas Valles go to college? Besides the tragic death of the two girls on the cross-country team, there were many other tragedies in the same year: on Valentines Day, a car crash claimed the lives of six teenagers, four of whom were from McFarland. Another accident killed McFarlands football coach and several beloved students from the school. Jim White and his wife Cheryl still live in McFarland. However, Centennial High School was not formed until 1993. Ester Marsh, the Ys fitness director and active with the Ys Warriors track team, is thrilled about Cardenas appearance. "People like Rita Peebles, a cook in the cafeteria who slipped five bucks into my pocket before every away meet so I wouldn't go hungry when the bus stopped at a McDonald's.". When we run, we own the earth. He says McFarland, a small town south of Fresno, in California's San Joaquin Valley, was more urban and less ethnically polarized than is pictured in the movie. Yours sincerely, Bettina, Johnny, Alexis and Natalia from Paraguay. Thank you for sharing your view as his cousin. "I did not run a good race that day," he said, explaining that he was so far back that he earned no points for the team. You might have miscalculated your strengths, but you took out energy from others as well who tried to follow you. At the end of the celebration, Lupe and Javi take Julie in a traditional parade of cars down the boulevard. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Speak to recruitment advertising specialist, More than $15M in residential damage caused by EF-3 tornado in Virginia Beach, city officials say, Paradise Ocean Club unlikely to reopen this summer, owner says, citing slow progress on lease discussion, Former Virginia Beach sailor sentenced to 15 years for killing estranged wifes lover, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The player, Johnny, is also kicked off the team. Despite winning their first race against local powerhouse Clovis, the father of the Diaz brothers pulls them from the team to pick in the fields. Jims wife Cheryl makes friends with Javis girlfriend (Martha Higareda). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The film only depicts two. A versatile and innovative financial manager with 30 years of management and leadership experience seeking to utilize skills in adult education and fiduciary oversight of multi-billion dollar . Its a chance to pause, slow down, get our bearings before we get up and go again at a kinder pace. He also occasionally travels as a motivational speaker and in the course of doing these promotional appearances, he has seen the movie eight times. The rest of the film was shot around Los Angeles and in Camarillo, California. 1 May 2023. I was never good at sports I chose ballet after my volunteer coach shamed me in pee-wee baseball and appreciate all the more how people can rise after defeats. No stupid Mexicans. Which is why, when Mr. White was trying to persuade me to switch to cross-country for my junior year, he jokingly told me that they would win the inaugural state championship with or without you.. Marsh says she also appreciated the scene where Cardenas took off too fast in a race and hit the wall. However, his come-from-behind clutch running performance in the 1987 championship that secured the title for McFarland really did happen. Please note: On the Scene with Mrs. Kathy King receives compensation of one or more of the products and banners that you will see on this post and or site. Here is an interview where Jim talks about the experience of filming McFarland, USA: The McFarland Cross-Country Program was bumped to Division I competition in 2014 even though McFarlands school size is much smaller than the typical Division I schools. Check out the latest entertainment and arts news, then plan your weekend with a look ahead at what's happening around Hampton Roads. Also, around 500 McFarland residents (4%) are the average age for high school seniors (18-19). 2023. Well said! "Usually, I'd finish fourth. In a public statement, Damacio said that he regrets the decisions hes made and the lapse of judgment that led to the crimes, and that this was not the person he really was. You have permission to edit this article. He was drafted and served in the Army's 82nd Airborne division between 1970 and 1972. A summer and winter resort with a beach on Bourget Lake (France's largest lake) and an aerial cableway up fir-covered Mount Revard (5,125 feet [1,562 metres]), it is a fashionable Alpine spa maintaining the sedate luxury of the Victorian era. Pace yourself. I hope to write a book one these days. (Erika Aguilar/KQED News) The California Report Lupe has Javi fix Cheryls car after it breaks down and gives Cheryl a free manicure in her salon while she waits. Cardenas admits hes had mixed reactions about the movie. Tragically, in November 2015 he was arrested for bribery and drug charges, including assisting a drug dealer. He now works as a physical education teacher at McFarland Middle School. While he was in the military, Cardenas applied for U.S. citizenship, but he says his application was never processed. "He thinks hes out there still, so someone needs to be there to kind of calm him down and stuff. Theres make-it or break-it drama in his recruiting efforts, drama of the kind that reveals the characters of the young men and White. We watched the movie together and they loved it. He hadn't lived in Mexico since he left when he was seven years old, and he spoke little Spanish. His journey from McFarland was pushed by his love for writing. You will guide her throughheartbreak or disappointment byscrolling through your youth,looking for a moment that fills yourreservoir of empathy. All Rights Reserved. Contribute to this page Suggest an edit or add missing content Top Gap The Disney studio, maybe, should thank me for adding a little drama but, all these years later, I'm having to relive it.". I think its really inspirational for people, and we did come from humble beginnings, he says. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if . Web. In real life, I consoled myself by reasoning that even though my place had not counted in the state championship, I had been the fourth man on a team that had won a dozen or so invitational races that year, some harder than the state meet. Open Letter to Jose Cardenas, One of "McFarland, USA"'s Real Life Champions Published on March 3, 2015 Dear Mr. Cardenas, This past weekend I saw " McFarland, USA, " a movie about one phase of your life, growing up in the agricultural town of McFarland, California. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the given coordinates of the places in our database. But Cardenas isn't that worried about the enduring connection to one of his most regrettable moments. Jose Cardenas became a writer for The Los Angeles Times and is currently serving his country in the U.S. army.