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Sunday, March 1, 2015 was a memorable date for some current and former LeyVa Middle School students, and other youngsters in San Jose, as they were able to attend an event celebrating the achievement and diversity in Hollywood and beyond, especially when it comes to Latinos and how they are portrayed in the media. A group of LeyVa Bulldogs, past and present, was treated to a gala, red carpet screening of the film McFarland USA at the Camera 12 Theatre in downtown San Jose during a "night with the stars."

McFarland USA, a sports drama, tells the true story of a teacher/coach who comes to reside and work in one of the poorest cities in the country. This is McFarland, California, a farming community where the predominately Latino community toils in the fields each day in order to sustain a meager standard of living. There, the teacher/coach discovers the grit , potential, and ganas of a group of Mexican students who train, under his tutelage, to become the cross-country state champions in the late 1980's. Rising from adversity, they are able to defeat all odds.

"Anyone who ever spent even an hour working in the fields can relate to the hardship the film depicts and we need more films such as this one," shares Principal Dolores Garcia, who attended the event. Eighth grader, Lucero Navarro states "the movie was very inspirational and shows how no matter where you come from, or what color your skin is, you can be successful in anything." Lucero is featured in the accompanying photo with some of the actors.