HOLGATE — The sounds of Latin music and the spirit of perseverance filled Holgate High School earlier this month as Spanish students combined a vibrant cultural concert with a visit from a Hollywood inspiration.
The event kicked off with a high-energy performance bringing Hispanic culture to life. Students energized the crowd with hits like “Vivir Mi Vida,” a lively dance-off, and traditional carols such as “Cascabeles” and “Con Mi Burrito Sabanero.”
A highlight of the musical portion was a special rendition of “Feliz Navidad.” In a moment of regional community spirit, Holgate seniors invited visiting seniors from Kalida, Elmwood, Patrick Henry, McComb and Bowling Green to join them for this popular festive song.
“It was nice to see other schools prepared and excited also,” Holgate senior Hannah Fritz said of the collaborative atmosphere.
Following the concert, the stage was turned over to special guest, Thomas Valles. Valles, the real-life inspiration behind the hit Disney film “McFarland, USA,” was invited to Holgate by Spanish teacher Tricia Blasius.
Valles offered students a behind-the-scenes look at how his personal history was adapted for the screen. While he noted that Hollywood added “flair” to make the story more cinematic, he affirmed that the movie still painted a “wonderful and accurate picture” of the team’s journey.
He spoke candidly about his difficult upbringing and the pivotal role of his mentor and coach, Jim White. He credited White with encouraging him to join cross country and, more importantly, to become a better student.
Valles emphasized that his greatest success was not a state championship, but his education, career and family. He urged students to value their own families, stressing the importance of respect, completing chores, and contributing to the household.
The message resonated deeply with the student body.
“Thomas was an amazing speaker,” senior Tatum Stollings said. “He really opened up to us about his past, and I thought it was really special.”
For some students, the visit was a collision between their favorite media and reality. Sophomore Natalie Digby said the film had impacted her so much that she made her whole family watch it previously.
(Submitted by Holgate Local Schools.)
