Dear FRONTLINE,

Funny...these guys are coming from an area lacking in education and resources yet they illustrated more promise, passion, insight and persistence--even in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds--than many who are blessed with a hundred times the opportunities.

I was very impressed with these two men.

Scott B.
Chicago, IL

Dear FRONTLINE,

Can't wait to see part 2 and 3. But reading one of the messages on this site, we, who grew up in the mountains, know one thing for sure. Hard work does not equal success. In fact, nor does a good education. I have a teaching degree and an MBA. I am probably the only woman in my county with an MBA. I may as well have a degree in witchcraft. Job after job that I have interviewed for went to the male cousin or political buddy.

But here's the strange thing that occured to me after watching part 1. I'd rather have Chris or Cody as a friend than any corporate ceo or cfo that I have ever met. These boys deserve so much more, and I suspect in a culture that appreciates natural resouces, art, music, and good friends and family, the Cody's and Chris'would be kings among us. I'd rather be here in the mountains poor, which I am, than out there, which I've been, in the dog eat dog world of corporate wall street.

Regina Warren
Pennington Gap, Virginia

Dear FRONTLINE,

I can relate to Chris' story. I too grow up in Floyd county Ky. My father was a abusive alcoholic. My older brother and sister walked a mile to a one room school house. We did'nt have a indoor bathroom or running water.This was around 1965.My father had a good job,but he chose to spent his money on alcohol, letting his family do without.We had a good mother who loved us and let us know that there is a better way to live. I have four sibliings. We have all made a better life for ourselvess and for our children.

This story really hits home for me. When I was watching the show I could feel the hurt and pain that Chris was going thru. I hope that Chris will turn his life around, I will be watching.

Sheryl
Chelsea, MI

Dear FRONTLINE,

My husband came into the living room and saw me literally at the edge of my seat watching the film Country Boys. I am a teacher and school administrator with a 23 year career in rural america. It is hard to begin to enumerate all the things I was touched by, but I for sure could only be impressed at the resiliency of the human spirit as shown by both boys, and the articulate way in which Chris expresses himself. Cody expresses himself with his music and devotion to God. Both show that families, adopted or biological, have such a need to stick together and support each other.

There is no tougher time to my mind than being a teenager. Boys, many young folks are going through your same life drama, and in making good choices that take the LONG view of life, you will succeed. Now you have half of America routing for you!My husband asked, "Do you have boys like this in school?" and I replied, "Yes, they are everywhere if you look beyond the superficial and see what they really are like. It's the only way we can make sure we do our best by them".

Good luck to both you young men, and thank you Mr. Sutherland for another great film. I can't wait to see the next two installments.

Lydia Gnos
Pepin, WI

Dear FRONTLINE,

My wife and I almost turned the program off after the 1st hour because it seemed slow and boring. We continued viewing and were rewarded with a superbly produced, touching portrait of two decent young men. Now we're captivated with their stories and eagerly looking forward to the next two episodes.

Patrick Parks
Roseville, CA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I grew up in New Jersey and am old enough to be Cody or Chris' mother. On the face of it, I don't have much in common with either country boy. Yet I found myself riveted last night, yelling, "You can do it, Chris! Publish that newsletter! You're doing great!" at the television and laughing out loud at Cody's challenge to Ray to quit smoking.

Their struggles for independence, search for acceptance, and fear of failure felt universal and the nuances in between are what novelists struggle to make up.

What did not feel familiar were the stomach-dropping challenges in both boys' lives. And what I had not expected were the kindness and patience of so many educators who crossed these boys' paths last night, from the serene director to the persistently supportive music teacher to the principal with the huge heart. I was deeply touched. So touched that I just found The David School online and made a contribution, which I hope some of your other viewers are doing as well.

Frontline: thank you for consistently producing unrivaled, unvarnished work that feels more authentic than all the "reality" shows put together.

Barbara Wiedemann

Dear FRONTLINE,

Loved the documentary and want to see Chris and Cody content. Would love to see Chris attend college (without ending up with major college debt like myself) because he is smart and very capable, just like Cody.If interested in Kentucky, this website is a must see: http://www.mountainworkshops.org/2005/multimedia.html This web site pairs an award winning photographer with a "story", i.e. multimedia show (pictures, sound, read captions below each picture). Each multimedia shows spotlights the life story of a couple or an individual living in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. My favorite "story" spotlights Christopher Wilhoit, my cousin. Chris is a gem and the multimedia show explains why.

Jennifer Campbell
Indianapolis, IN

Dear FRONTLINE,

I have had the privilage of visiting The David School several times and have been inspired by the amazing staff, faculty, and students of that school. The David School is a great example of what can happen when people of different backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs come together for a common goal. Thank you for telling the stories of Chris, Cody, and the David School.

Ellen Peal
Waitsfield, VT

Dear FRONTLINE,

I've traveled the region and grew up in East Tennessee. I once described Eastern Kentucky (and West Virginia) as both the "prettiest, and at the same time, the ugliest country (poverty) you've ever seen" to my wife. After viewing the documentary last night, she agreed with me. Great job in capturing the true nature of appalachia.

Jim Till
Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear FRONTLINE,

Your program was such a wonderful surprise! I already love both Chris & Cody. Chris could be a distant relative because my great-grandmother was a Johnson from around Floyd County.

I am 49 years old, 100% Kentucky Hillbilly DNA & the first generation of my family to be born & raised outside of Eastern Kentucky in close to 200 years. My parents were born & raised in Pike County. My Dad was born at Hardy & my Mom in the No.8 mining camp. They married in 1952, aged 14 & 18, shortly after my Dad graduated from Belfry High School & they went on together, my Mom working, my Dad graduating from Morehead State as a teacher. Their families had worked in & around the coal mines since Henry Ford brought mining to the area. Prior to that my Dad's family was in the timber industry, were Baptist preachers, & helped to establish Pike County Schools. My mother's father was a coal miner. She had four brothers that left High School to enilst & serve during WWII. They have all told me that the war showed them there is more to life than working and dying in a coal mine. They led the family out of KY after the war, attracted by the steady work in Detroit & Chicago, offering them benefits beyond their wildest dreams. I have thanked them for leading the way out of KY, their parents & sisters following them, my Dad following my Mom. ...

Last night your excellent programming allowed me to share the life in Eastern KY with my 17 year old daughter. Neither my daughter or son have been there, although they have heard my stories & seen pictures many times. They know about our family & where they come from because I have passed down all I remember about our family tree & they have watched movies about Appalachia: "Coal Miner's Daughter, "October Sky," "Matewan," & "Harlan County War," to name a few. My daughter & I can't wait to watch the next 2 Frontline episodes.

Both of my children went to a "Character High School" in Colorado. My son has Learning Disabilities & watching the story about Chris & his difficulty with writing & organization skills is similar to my son. The teachers in his High School & I did not give up on him, he graduated with his class by making up credits in summer school every year of High School. My daughter & Cody are both committed Christian young people, trying to live with morals & values that are foreign to their peers, succeeding in a large part because adults in the church work with & support the youth. We are cheering for these young men & their families, we hope to see them succeed, achieving all of their future plans. We will also know & share their sadness if their future takes them out of the mountains. Leaving your culture is a high price to pay for success.

Luanne Varney-South
Colorado Springs, CO

Dear FRONTLINE,

What an inspirational and moving story for us all.

For Chris and Cody,

I have a story to share with you all about a boy who grew up in Salyersville KY, (about 20 miles from David) and married a girl from Campbell Co, KY in the late 50's. They both got their college degrees in teaching, skipped accross the Ohio River, and went on to become College Professors. They had three kids, who went on to become succesful in their own right. An RN, a computer programmer, and one who served 22 years in the Army, and now works for Hillsborough County Florida's Department of Transportation, (me). Growing up, we would visit our Grandparents in Salyersville every summer, and spent several Christmas's there too. David has a craft shop that my mom and wife would frequent. The area can be beautiful, and bleak, it can fill you with hope and overwhelm you with dispair. Growing up, and sitting on the top of the moonlit Appalachians, my Dad would tell me that the hills looked like the waves of the ocean. It has a magnetism for its natives, a constant pull on the heart strings, and at the same time you can wish you were never born their. It is home...

I wish all of the inhabitants of the region only peace and a means to remain in the hollars we all love so dearly. For Chris and Cody, I hope you found the internal drive (that was always there) and determination to make a better life for yourselves. For the teachers, Principal, and volunteers, and anyone who moves into that neck of the woods to help, and can't tell the locals who your kin is, patriotism and selfless service are alive and well. Thank you, and God Bless. You all have reinvigorated my hope and love for our country, and humanity...

Fred Higgins
Dade City, Florida

Dear FRONTLINE,

It was a pure accident that my 7th grade daughter and I happened upon your program last night. Often, I would have flipped back and forth to a Law & Order show, but I couldn't tear myself away...nor could my daughter. She is 1 of 4, who are fortunate to attend Parochial and private Catholic highschool. This does not go without some financial hardship, but we feel it is a good investment.

I volunteered at my kids school today, and felt a continual instant replay of Country Boys. As I looked across the sea of uniforms in the cafeteria, I wondered what worries these children face...what shoes to wear, what movie to see, who to "hang around with"...you get my point. I can hardly wait for 9pm. I wonder what I can do to help. I have told everyone I've seen today to please watch.

Sandra Wallach

Dear FRONTLINE,

I enjoyed Country Boys very much. As a teacher I think sometimes we forget that we once were at a young age. The story was similiar to what the young people here on the reservation face. They struggle to be in school and we overlook that. The staff at The David School were very supportitive towards the young men. Iam very anxious for the next show.

Cheryl Locke
Porcupine, South Dakota

Dear FRONTLINE,

PBS & Frontline, my husband and I applaud your choosing to broadcast this great documentary. We are involved in youth ministry in our area so we were delighted to see teens being given the attention and appreciation they deserve. We found ourselves experiencing a wealth of emotions as we watched these two unique and often overlooked boys try to find meaning in the world around them.

We are also Christians so we related to Cody quite a bit and were left speechless as to his understanding of the Bible and how it applies to one's life, he is far beyond his years. We found ourselves "rooting" for Chris throughout the entire program and just wanting to scream at the tv to tell him how truly valuable he is! This is "reality tv" at it's best! No frills, no setups, just life at it's best and worst. We expectantly look forward to the next two shows and the conclusion to this great journey we are witnesses to! Thankyou again!

Lani DeBuhr
Rathdrum, ID

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am a 30 year old father of four and I wanted tell Chris and Cody that their story has unexpectedly touched me and instilled a deeper desire to be a better father for my own kids.

Watching the first episode made me realize the true power that parents have in a child's life for good and bad. Cody and Chris are my new found heroes and they can be proud of mere survival in the circumstances they were faced with. Their courage and strength to wake up and face each day is truely heroic!

Rett Roberts
Tooele, Utah