A Dream Project

Richard Lee Colvin’s article about the tough road one true, inspiring story is taking on its way to becoming a movie is an excellent piece of journalism (“A True Story in Search of a Green Light,” July 16).

Too often we see only the sanitized, press-release version of a story. Although I wish it were not true that a big-money star must attach himself to this project before it can get the necessary investors, I recognize that reality and hope a big star does get on board. Personally, I’d like to see Tom Hanks or Bruce Willis play the role of Alisal High teacher George P. Shirley. There’s a lot of meat in the part. Congratulations to Shirley for standing his ground and to Chris Balibrera for winning the Nicholl screenwriting competition with the script for “Harvest.”

I hope “Harvest” becomes a feature film, because it has the chance to be as fine a film as “October Sky”--the best movie I’ve seen in years.

LYNNETTE BAUGHMAN

Los Alamos, N.M.

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I am a 1994 graduate of Alisal High School. After graduating from Alisal, I went to Wabash College in Indiana. I have returned to Alisal as a teacher because I want to make a difference in my students’ lives, just as George Shirley did with his students 15 years ago.

My older brothers, sisters and friends were taught by Shirley. He helped them believe in themselves and encouraged them to go to college. Because of his caring and dedication, I followed in their footsteps.

What Shirley did was truly remarkable. He gave hope where there was little hope. His inspiration enabled a whole group of students to go beyond their wildest dreams and aspirations.

This story is a story of hope, hard work and selfless dedication. It needs to be developed into a movie so that today’s students can see that they too can achieve their dreams.

HUGO MARISCAL

Salinas

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It’s a travesty that film projects that explore the human condition and elevate the soul languish on a shelf, while films that glorify violence and gross-out humor are churned out like so many sausages. As Hollywood continues to lower the bar on morality and good taste, the hurdles quality projects face rise ever higher.

I wish the filmmakers good luck. They’re going to need it.

TJ LYNCH

Tujunga

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While I am very happy that George Shirley’s ex-students made it through the top-notch universities, I lost complete interest in the story, and all respect for the teacher, when he said that he wrote some of the entrance essays for his students.

Honest, hard-working teachers have enough trouble getting respect from the general public. We do not need to have our ranks represented by a liar and a cheat.

CAROL MAY

Los Angeles

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While George Shirley’s actions are highly questionable, his motives seem beyond reproach. Do the ends justify the means in this instance? It’s a good subject for a highly compelling story--one I hope to see screening in a theater near me.

MARK YARDAS

Venice

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What a wonderful and insightful piece, and also how indicative of the way Hollywood really works. Since this high school story is about intelligence, redemption and perseverance and really needs no embellishment or special effects, sadly it may never get made.

DOUGLAS HERMAN

Santa Monica

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As their teacher and friend I must stress one fact about this high school class: Without affirmative action, very few would have been accepted to any four-year college.

One hundred and two students that year took the SAT; 92 applied to four-year colleges and all were admitted. Yet their scores were very low. As Colvin points out, the median SAT was barely 700. Their grades were of limited use to college admissions officers because the school was rated in the lowest 5% in the state. Many students had not taken the required courses to qualify for the UC or CSU systems. Still, the elite of the college world accepted them in part because of affirmative action. They succeeded (usually with very good academic records); only a few did not graduate.

Many chose postgraduate studies. They then encountered the same problems: The law schools, medical schools and graduate schools required standardized tests. Their scores were very low. Again, in part because of affirmative action programs, they were accepted to the best schools.

The so-called objective criteria of standardized tests discriminate against students in the Alisal category. Whatever value tests like these have, they clearly do not measure the academic potential of such students.

The opponents of affirmative action, such as Ward Connerly, also do not understand the postgraduate careers of students like these. After graduation, they have gone out to serve not only as role models but as doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers and professors. Many serve the urban and rural poor. Is not the world a better place because these young people went to college and beyond?

GEORGE P. SHIRLEY

Sacramento