jose cardenas mcfarland

Im in the Army, he says, so I have to stay in shape.. David Diaz also went to college and is now the North Kern State Prison Supervisor of Academic Instruction. "It's a great lesson to us, McFarland, that if we give our children, our young men, our young women goals, we let them see what's possible, they can exceed beyond their own wildest expectations." ~ Kevin Costner 8) Some Experience Contribute to this page Suggest an edit or add missing content Top Gap It was awkward doing the red carpet, he says, but it was a lot of fun.. Your email address will not be published. Thomas Valles attended and ran for the College of the Sequoias after he graduated from high school. Visit MrsKathyKing's profile on Pinterest. Pace yourself. I think its a pretty darn big deal.. feeling awkward and labored. and the longitude is 5.915300. And by that measure, maybe I can let go for good the sour memory of the state race. Then I transferred to Humboldt State. There are currently 37 luxury homes for sale in Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes on JamesEdition. "It worries me because you never know whats going to happen, and you cant do nothing here," he says. Sometimes we are overcome by adrenaline and ambition. Costners coach, a man wholl do what he thinks is right despite the consequences, is quickly relieved of his assistant football coaching duties at McFarland. Im so glad my essay from 2015 found you in 2022. 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., During the eighties, McFarland had a larger white population. He Served in the U.S. Military, But That Didn't Stop His Deportation. Many of us found our way to college and livelihoods away from the fields. (Spoiler alert for movie fans who arent aware that Disney movies havehappy and dramatic endings). Check out the latest entertainment and arts news, then plan your weekend with a look ahead at what's happening around Hampton Roads. The country code given is in the ISO2 format. 1 for 4 weeks, Jack Nicholson returns courtside to cheer beloved Lakers to playoff win. White takes a position at a small, humble high school in McFarland, California in the middle of the vast agricultural flatland of Californias Central Valley. (1999) 25,732; (2014 est.) The scenes of the state race are the most prominent for Johnny Ortiz, the actor playing me. Mcfarland High School Class of 1988 Jose Carmona. 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. 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. And there was cotton," he said. The 2015 film McFarland, USA tells the true story of California high school cross-country coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) and his underdog team of Latino runners who had never competed in the sport before and who, when they werent training, had to help their parents pick crops in the fields. And then there is his most uncomfortable moment in the movie - as in life. "They do kind of make fun of us because we dont speak the language. I lived in a dilapidated one-bedroom house across the street from my church with a couple older brothers who worked in the fields. Sports can be a great teacher, in the losses as much as the wins. While Jim and his daughter Jamie watches the boys in his PE classes run laps around the track, Jamie makes a comment about Victor and Johnny being incredibly fast runners; Jim agrees, and has an epiphany: to start a cross-country team. The player, Johnny, is also kicked off the team. Jose Cardenas became a writer for The Los Angeles Times and is currently serving his country in the U.S. army. The emotional trip-to-the-ocean scene in the film really did happen, though not in 1987. Disney Pictures can thank me, I guess, for creating some true drama. 10 McFarland USA Fun Facts That Will inspire You #McFarland 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.'. He's rallied, marched and met with California politicians as part of a group of deported veterans lobbying the government to allow them to return to the U.S. based on their military service. 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. For now, Cardenas says there is one other way deported veterans like him can eventually get back to the United States. After high school graduation I went to junior college half an hour up Highway 99 and continued running. The shoe bounces off the locker, hits the player in the face, and cuts his cheek. He now lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with his wife and daughter, where he is a staff sergeant in the Army. "I went into a depression," he says. To this day, I dont know why I went out uncharacteristically fast. "I lost my job and everything, so I didn't have nothing.". Perhaps that is why stories like Mr. Cardenas and his teammates resonates so strongly, as reminders that what may seem impossible isnt. "We had no idea, with him not performing that day, if . His group painted a section of the border fence in Tijuana red, white and blue with the names of deported veterans. Im a german journalist, living in Paraguay with my adopted son and two other paraguayan foster children. No stupid Mexicans. Not immigrant no more. "People worked together in the town," Cardenas said. "All you can do is just hope that everything goes okay and thats it.. His journey from McFarland was pushed by his love for writing. I saw the film as being about your tenacity, determination, loyalty, perseverance, athleticism, and strength. While he was in the military, Cardenas applied for U.S. citizenship, but he says his application was never processed. We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. The latitude of Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France is 45.688499, The actual trip, which included stops at Morro Bay and Cayucos after an Atascadero race, was even more moving than what we see in the film because it included the girls team. 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. Fortunately, the sympathetic Principal Camillo (Valente Rodriguez) lets him keep his teaching job. He would often buy shoes and food for his runners. Victor Puentes, one of the brightest students on the team, went to college but then had to leave school when his mom got sick. Upon his release, he returned to college to continue his education and landed a quality job on a ranch. You were and are a team player. On The Scene With Kathy King. 1987 was the first year that the state cross-country championship race was offered to schools. McFarland, USA (2015) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb Updates? A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? KGET TV-17, an NBC affiliate in Bakersfield, California, created this Emmy-nominated segment that tells the story of McFarland High Schools legendary cross country program and the family, and coach, that helped mold a town. The final climactic race in the film happened exactly as it happened in real life, including all of the drama. Jim retired in 2002 after 23 years of coaching and continued to serve as a volunteer coach occasionally. One of these leaders was. "Actually, lettuce didn't grow there, but that's a minor thing. When we run, our spirits fly. To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Meanwhile, the White family builds a bond with the McFarland community. Jose Cardenas became a writer for The Los Angeles Times and is currently serving his country in the U.S. army. 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. McFarland didnt have low riders in 1987, as depicted in the film. 6. Jose Cardenas always wanted to serve in the military. We speak the birds' language. His battles with the church arent over, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! Maria Marisol : [reading Jose Cardenas's paper] We fly like blackbirds through the orange groves, floating on a warm wind. If you listen to how the runners speak about him (including current runners), you can tell he made a lasting impact on their lives. And Cardenas still runs, but not competitively. The film only depicts two. McFarland, USA (2015) - Plot - IMDb McFarland, USA - Rotten Tomatoes He's fighting to get back to the country he and his family have served for decades. 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. Ester Marsh, the Ys fitness director and active with the Ys Warriors track team, is thrilled about Cardenas appearance. Thank you laura for your take on my essay. McFarland, USA (2015) - Johnny Ortiz as Jose Cardenas - IMDb You deserve the accolades and life you have been given due to your hard work! You saw your mistake of setting out filled with fire and speed as failure; we thought you may have inspired your teammates to run faster, push harder than they otherwise might have. As everyone is celebrating and hugging, Jim goes to the Palo Alto coaches who had offered him the job and turns it down with one word: McFarland., Clearly Coach White is a big reason why they had so much success. The school is notable for its succession of twenty-four CIF Central Section championships in cross country between 1987 and 2013. During his first PE class that day, Jim meets the Diaz brothers: Danny, Damacio, and David (Ramiro Rodriguez, Michael Aguero, and Rafael Martinez). LinkedIn is the world's largest business network, helping professionals like JOSSUE CARRILLO CARDENAS discover inside . We all know different moments of defeat and victory. Thank you for sharing your appreciation! "Usually, I'd finish fourth. 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. He Served in the U.S. Military, But That Didn't Stop His Deportation The 2015 film "McFarland, USA" tells the true story of California high school cross-country coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) and his underdog team of Latino runners who had never competed in the sport before and who, when they weren't training, had to help their parents pick crops in the fields. Jose, one of their key runners, starts out too fast. As far as Cardenas is concerned, it is a day that will live in infamy, even though the team won, and it's a great finish for a movie. When we run, we own the earth. I told you we would win with or without you, our coach, Jim White, told me on the bus ride home from Fresno. Thomas, who was suspended for fighting a kid that made fun of his pregnant sister, is given a chance to avoid suspension if he agrees to join the cross-country team. Track coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a newcomer to a predominantly Latino high-school in California's Central Valley. Danny Diaz. He sees McFarland students running all over the community, including the produce fields. The students that Jim coached have grown up to become coaches themselves. I too did not see your performance as a failure. Disgraced cop of 'McFarland USA' fame gets five years in prison 'McFarland USA' runner to speak in Salisbury on Saturday Danny Diaz, who is depicted as overweight in the film, was not overweight in real life. In their first meet in Palo Alto, the boys endure mockery from the other more experienced and well-funded teams, and they suffer the humiliation of finishing in last place. After high school graduation, Danny Diaz attended Bakersfield Junior College and Fresno State, then became a teacher and counselor at McFarland High School. We speak to the gods. Cardenas was a member of the California state championship cross-country team whose story is portrayed in the new movie McFarland, USA, which was released by Disney in February. You inspired me Jose Cardenas!!! He transferred to Humboldt State University, in Arcata, Calif., and earned a journalism degree. When I got deported I didnt even know where I was," Cardenas says. Join Facebook to connect with Jose Cardenas and others you may know. Jim Price, a janitor at the high school, let me live with his family. View the profiles of people named Jose Cardenas. Learn how your comment data is processed. Despite the setback, the boys stick with Jim and continue training. Victor Puentes: Michael Aguero . The community teams up with the White family to raise money for better uniforms for the cross-country team, and they throw a delightful quinceaera party for Julies 15th birthday. "McFarland, USA" tells a heartwarming story about . We watched the movie together and they loved it. Jose Cardenas, left, and actor Johnny Ortiz attend the premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" at the El Capitan Theatre on Feb. 9, 2015, in Hollywood, California. "Sometimes he wakes up and he goes crazy," Cardenas says of his son. McFarland USA poem by Cardenas - YouTube 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. The director, Niki Caro, chose to do this because she wanted to feature more family in the story. Its taken me awhile to warm up to it., Jim White, portrayed by Kevin Costner, was the team coach. The head coach complains to Principal Camillo and has Jim removed from his post as assistant coach. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), First Minority Business Trade Show helps spread word for entrepreneurs, Salisbury City Council to discuss new fire station on Mahaley Avenue at Tuesdays meeting, License plate reader cameras assist area law enforcement. Although White isnt a track coach, he sees great potential for a cross-country team at McFarland High. We still enjoy the whole running thing. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. "People forget that the Army has boats, too, and this has fulfilled my greatest chances to sail all over the world - the Caribbean and now off Dubai.". He served four years in the Coast Guard and did maritime law enforcement. We are real close. Jos is my cousin & an inspiration to all the family. Freelance writer Susan Shinn lives in Salisbury. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. We push too hard and flame out. Aix-les-Bains | History, Geography, & Points of Interest He was drafted and served in the Army's 82nd Airborne division between 1970 and 1972. The odds seem stacked against Jim, who is just as inexperienced at coaching cross-country as the boys are at running it. We had the right principles and the right attitude. Thats want counts as much as a victory itself. The climb upward from despair for Coach White isnt easy. The company also supplied soft drinks for a gift basket for the speaker, which also includes goodies from Catawba College and the Y. Veteran actor Costner, much like his performance in the recent Black or White, plays another character who must adjust to changing circumstances, reinvent himself to survive. White loses his cool and throws a cleat at a locker. On the way home, Jim stops by the beach in Cayucos and lets the runners have an afternoon of fun there because theyve never seen the ocean before. The International Womens Media Foundation supported Erika Aguilar'sreporting from Tijuana, Mexico as part of the Adelante Latin America Reporting Initiative. It was the 1987 California high school state cross-country championships. He then transferred to Cal State University of Bakersfield (CSUB) from 1993-1995. Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France is located at France country in the Towns place category with the gps coordinates of 45 41' 18.5964'' N and 5 54' 55. . Later, Jim shows that he genuinely cares about the students when he prevents the ambitious football teams head coach from putting an injured player, Johnny Sameniego (Hector Duran), back into the game despite Johnnys importance to the team. The land is ours. Located in California's agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, McFarland is one of the poorest communities in California. I enjoyed your essay as well -jose, You are a Radiant Beam Still He was an inspiration and a father figure to the boys, Cardenas says. The home theyve bought is old and run-down, and the family experiences culture shock. First:; I want to say that I loved the poem Jose wrote. But his school had a long tradition of success in cross country, which is not how its portrayed in the movie. The Perezchica brothers Henry and Jose led McFarland, finishing 22nd and 37th overall . : I love that his story continues to inspire so many people. JamesEdition can help you find the home that match all the preferences for your dream home. But "I broke out too early and faded about half way through the 3-mile course," Cardenas said. The film depicts McFarlands opponents as snobby, rich, and rude to the poor McFarland team. (Jason Kempin / Getty Images). "McFarland, USA" draws on experience of local man And Rita Peebles, a cook in the cafeteria, slipped five bucks into my pocket before every away meet so I wouldnt go hungry when the bus stopped at McDonalds. The movie was about much more than a state championship race, it was about the people you became. Damacio Diaz. By this point, the team and the sport have become the great pride and joy of the community. Since his retirement, he has also traveled the country as a motivational speaker and to help promote the movie. Many other shots of the town and high school were also filmed on-location. In fact quite the opposite it was an inspiring, a wonderful example of perseverance and what it means to work as a team. That race is going to healyour daughtersheart some day. Luxury Homes for Sale in Aix Les Bains, Auvergne Rhne - JamesEdition He'll talk. Give others a chance to shine. His arrest was a big shock to the community because he had been so well-loved and respected. Photographs taken from the album of Sylvia Diaz (one of the girls who died in 1986) are some of the last pictures that those two girls took with their teammates. We went on to better our lives.. You moved on, kept running, went to college and graduated, creating opportunities that didnt exist before. The community has been real supportive of his being here, Marsh says. We were good Christian kids, and we put our abilities to good use. All together now: Ommmm and Just Win,Baby, Never a Dull Moment, With The Big QuestionsKid, Open Letter to Jose Cardenas, One of McFarland, USAs Real LifeChampions, View lauranicolediamondauthors profile on Facebook, View @LauraNDiamond1s profile on Twitter, View laurandiamonds profile on Instagram, DELIVER ME: True Confessions of Motherhood, McFarland, USA - The 1987 McFarland Cross Country Team, Open Letter to Jose Cardenas, One of "McFarland, USA"'s Real Life Champions, Forget spring cleaning in a soon-to-be empty nest. Powered by - Designed with theHueman theme, (Visited 2,021 times, 2 visits today, 1,283,698 total visits overall), describing his experience with the McFarland team. When we run, we own the earth. Samaniego currently holds CSUBs 18th best time in the 1,500-meter race. The McFarland team continued to run races in North America, Europe, and Asia. Then you spent afternoons running miles upon miles upon miles. A few notches down from what the Whites are accustomed to, but the troublemaking Coach White, or at least hes perceived to be a troublemaker, has no other options left. Do you have any thoughts about those experiences youd like to share? His teams won nine championships in 14 years. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? Nonetheless, the real challenges White and his team face pull the viewer along for the ride. 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. 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. Its a beautiful story of perseverance, teamwork and community! Aix-les-Bains, city and Alpine spa, Savoie dpartement, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes rgion, southeastern France, southwest of Geneva. They call us pochos sometimes.". See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by . He now works as a physical education teacher at McFarland Middle School. Eventually sophomore Danny Diaz crossed in 91st (68th) to close out the scoring. JOSSUE CARRILLO CARDENAS - McFarland, California, United - LinkedIn -BakersfieldCalifornian.com Did Coach White really help the kids work in the fields? Every word was right on. Those were my parents. Their oldest daughter, Tami, is not depicted in the film. Sign up for our daily newsletter. 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. It was a dismal day for me at Woodward Park, Nov. 28, 1987. The state championship aside, McFarland, USA suggests my teammates became winners in life. "The inspirational message of the movie is essentially true," he said. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It gives me great pleasure to hear from you, and that you found something you needed in my letter to Jose Cardenas. McFarland, USA tells a heartwarming story about underdogs who, to the surprise of everyone, including themselves, establish a sports dynasty. Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France is located at France country in the Towns place category with the gps coordinates of 45 41' 18.5964'' N and 5 54' 55.0800'' E. Coordinates of Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France is given above in both decimal degrees and Hell talk about the ins and outs of the movie, running and more as part of a spaghetti fundraiser Saturday night at the J.F. McFARLAND, USA - Teach with Movies The two teams were close and a terrible tragedy that killed two girls on the cross-country team (Sylvia Diaz, 16, and Herlinda Gonzalez, 14, were struck and killed by a car during cross-country practice) earlier that school year, A journalist who covered the 1987 race remembers this moving moment when Thomas Valles, who is a prominent character in the film, ponders the deaths of Sylvia and Herlinda before the championship race: 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 The loss of Sylvia and Herlinda followed their teammates into 1987, the year of the boys first state cross-country victory., One of the runners, David Diaz, said this to the same journalist about the tragedys effect: The tragedy that happened to McFarland cross-country that year (1986), I believe, catapulted many of us to run with more heart in the following years. Cardenas, a staff sergeant in the Army stationed at Fort Eustis, was part of that team from a poverty-ridden California town that "comes from behind" to win its first state title. Nearly three decades later, Jose Cardenas is still bothered by that one race. I hope you continue writing even as you pursue your career in the Army. Pretty much our whole team is going to be there, she says. The running scenes in the orchards were filmed on-location in McFarland, in the same place where the real team trained. Jim White and his wife Cheryl have three daughters. McFarland, USA Movie Photos and Stills | Fandango Principal Camillo agrees, reluctantly, and Johnny is recruited as the teams first runner. Veterans who leave active military duty with an honorable discharge are eligible for a burial spot in a Veterans Administration national cemetery. Damacio Diaz recalled fondly in an interview for the film that he would often jog with his dad, Paul Diaz, who worked hard for his family. Cardenas grew up in a Hispanic community, and his team mostly competed against white teams. I agree, Griselda, he is an inspiration to people all over the world. Jose Cardenas - Fixed Asset Accountant & Receiving - LinkedIn 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 . You close your essay with this glimpse of forgiveness: McFarland, USA suggests my teammates became winners in life. Team God bless you , I really enjoyed your article Mrs. Laura Diamond, and I am watching McFarland as I write. Pop. You set out sprinting, on fire to prove something. Jose Cardenas became a writer for The Los Angeles Times and is currently serving his country in the U.S. army. In a piece written for the LA Times, runner Jose Cardenas said this about the final race: In the movie and reality McFarland did barely win state when our usual sixth man, Danny Diaz, whose place in races had not counted all season, moved up to fifth, the last runner whose place counts. He states that the movie has changed his life and helped him become a better person. Their first night in McFarland is difficult. The Disney studio, maybe, should thank me for adding a little drama but, all these years later, I'm having to relive it.". Because his citizenship application never went through, Cardenas was deported to Mexico after serving 10 years in federal prison. Joe Vaughn is best known for leading the Buena High, California girl's basketball team to 500 plus victories. The Three Diaz Brothers: Danny, David, and Damacio 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. In a dramatic instance of culture shock, White, his wife, Cheryl (Maria Bello in a one-dimensional role as supportive spouse and mother), their disapproving teen daughter, Julie (Morgan Saylor), and the familys youngest child, little sister Jamie (Elsie Fisher), move from a predominantly white, middle-class neighborhood to a poor Mexican-American community. Second, there was a lot of good old-fashioned hard work. When ourfire burns out, we need friends to help carry us for a while. Jose Cardenas, 67, stands at U.S.-Mexico border fence in Tijuana that has been painted with the names of deported U.S. veterans. David Diaz. Mr. Cardenas, chin up! 'McFarland, USA' runs an inspirational race - theadvocate.com Open Letter to Jose Cardenas, One of "McFarland, USA"'s Real Life Learning from the film McFarland USA: As a leader, make a difference in Its a chance to pause, slow down, get our bearings before we get up and go again at a kinder pace. "The life out there and the life in here is totally different," he says of living in Mexico. 5, was not in the picture.

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