Dear FRONTLINE,

I watched the first installment tonight and I feel that I know Chris. I grew up in Northern Alabama under similar circumstances to his. When he expressed how much he would like to have a girl friend and how lonely he was, I was taken back to my own youth. I had an out, I joined the Army and managed to get an education while in the service and got my g. e. d. I think it is too bad that, or some similar option isn`t more available to more of today`s struggling youth.

Dale Butler
Fridley, Minnesota

Dear FRONTLINE,

I have so many thoughts after watching the first episode and reading fellow viewers responses. First thanks to the producer for giving us a slice of real life. One of the responses was upset that the film crew etc didn't jump in and help with the move etc. But that would have not been an honest portrayal of the situation.

Both of the boys have had a harder life at 16-17 than I've seen in 47 years. There is no excuse, or reason. Life is hard and we all need family, friends and faith to get us through it.

The to the school principal and teachers I want you to know that I will sending a small but heart felt donation. I want to extend a special thanks to the art teacher who was the bus driver. He tried so hard to let Chris know that he wanted the papers so he could pass, and I think he was the same person at graduation who encouraged him to come back. Teachers are such unsung heros.

I wanted to yell at the t.v. when Chris's mother was more concerned that he might not continue to get his SSI check than if he finished his assignments and passed his classes.

I have raise a teenager, it's tough. But it's so worth it!

Beth Baker
Maryville, Missouri

Dear FRONTLINE,

I'm a 23 year old graduate student at a Christian school in Northeast Tennessee. Coming to this region from Southeast Michigan was an enormous cultural leap for me. But it has opened my eyes to the reality of life and the hardships that people in this region encounter every day.

I'd like to think that there is much the average person can do to help others who are in situations similar to what was experienced by Chris and Cody. Reading through the rest of this website I noticed that one very important contribution is to be a mentor. That is something I had been considering before seeing this documentary but now I am definitely going to participate in.

Thank you for providing inspiration and insight for myself and many others.

Matt Buddenborg
Livonia, MI

Dear FRONTLINE,

There's something about the poignant timing of this amazing first episode; not even a week since the tragedy at Sago mine in another part of rural Appalachia. Thank you for showing a part of our country so many people don't even know exists, ignore, or ridicule.

Though it's heartbreaking to watch these kids have to become young adults have been burdened by their parents' choices, it's also encouraging because these kids will learn more about themselves through the power of reflection. I bet this could help them enormously with self-confidence and goal-setting, or at least seeing the power of self-talk.

As a classroom teacher, I wonder what others think we can do to help students like Cody and Chris (esp. Chris) succeed in school, given the fact that his family works against the ways the schools are trying to work. And I wonder what others think about other community resources could be there to help kids like Cody and Chris?

John Douglas
Chicago, IL

Dear FRONTLINE,

As a student who considers himself fortunate to attend an elite graduate school of education in hopes of better preparing myself to one day be a teacher, I was struck by how few times I hear about the problems of boys such as Chris and Cody in our classes.

The eye on poverty seems fixated on cities and too often overlooks or forgets about the experiences of students such as those at The David School. I can only hope that this film will ignite such conversations amongst faculty and students at schools of education.

Jim Larson
Cambridge, MA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I was instantly hooked. I could not change the channel. I couldn't leave my seat. What an amazing story. This story really shows the social differences of our county. I wish the best for both young men. Keep pushing and never give up.

John George
Wallingford, Pennsylvania

Dear FRONTLINE,

After viewing the first episode of "Country Boys", I feel this documentary is an extension to Rory Kennedy's "American Hollow". One important thing to remember here is that people everywhere have a hard time in life. Cody has obviously had a past of tragedy and things no one would like to experience. Chris dealt with bad parenting issues.

Either way, I think the Government has a real problem with issuing these SSI checks. I know there are children around the globe that has certain learning disabilities, but in my opinion the worst thing for them is to be rewarded by a check. At the same time, folks who have worked their whole life, have no arms and legs have to fight for social security benefits. It's almost like telling a child that they really don't have to try, you can just get a government check!

My point being, there are troubled people all over the planet, and it sickens me that they always go to East kentucky to find them. Ive never seen a documentary about troubled youth in Detroit or Chicago and so forth.

There is no doubt that these youth are troubled, but Kentucky had nothing to do with it.

Will Carter
Detroit, Michigan

Dear FRONTLINE,

I watched the first episode and was richley engrossed in it. This is about two boy's growing up and making choices in life. I am so intrigued and entertained by Chris's personality ,that I can't stop watching him. He has a lot of obstacles to overcome, but everyone has obstacles to beat. It is wonderfully shot and well thought out production. My fav scene is with the pig under the trailor, hysterical. I hope these two kids make the right choice's in life and keep striving to make the best out of their lives.

Matt fortier
Montreal, QC

Dear FRONTLINE,

This is definately not Laguna Beach & all the spoiled brats that they show on MTV. These are real people in a forgotten world by many of us. I found it inspiring that Cody & Chris are trying to better themselves and heal the sorrows of their troubled childhoods. Also, so glad to see that that they focused on the youths involvement in church. I look forward to the rest of their story - this is real reality t.v. at it's best. Peace to all!

Kara Cole
Charlottesville, VA

Dear FRONTLINE,

My mother's family is from Floyd County, KY, and includes doctors, lawyers, therapists, judges, educators and librarians. I am proud of my "mountain" roots, and saddened to see a one-sided portrayal of a beautiful part of America. While this show demonstrates issues critical to youth and to the area, not everyone grew up with a pig under the trailer.

Michelle Burchett
Crown Point, Indiana

Dear FRONTLINE,

Chris and Cody embody the potential for hope and the reality of despair within rural Appalachian communities. This is an extraordinary film that has captured the current cycle of poverty in an entirely capable but overlooked community.

I was most affected by the scene of Chris moving the family's belongings out of the old trailer (stuck in the mud) and into the new trailor "temporarily" parked nearby. David Sutherland is not invited to my place on moving day but thanks for sharing Chris's with us.

Chris you're an honest, dependable, and kind young man. Keeping working hard and hang in there. My advice to you would be to seek out a routine (work/school/church) it will keep you sane.

David, Bravos! wonderful film, thank you.

Eddie Ficker
Austin, TX

Dear FRONTLINE,

Film really does not do justice to the position that these people are in. My grandfathers family was the first family to settle the Floyd county region. It is a hardscrabble life those people put together. I went down to visit some family when I was younger and was amazed and scared at how these folks lived. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and while Columbus is no huge metropolis it is so much different than these folks conditions. Folks down there struggle day in and day out just to make ends meet. So many people fault the people that live down there for the conditions but these people have nothing to work for and aspire to. There aren't many opportunities that these folks can try to claim. I have spoken with my family about moving north and working in Ohio but they can't leave the families they have down there. I couldn't imagine having to leave the place I was born and raised to find work. If you leave by choice it is one thing but having to leave by necessity to find work is something completely different. I feel for these folks. Our country has left them behind.

Jason Richardson
Galloway, Ohio

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am a recently retired teacher--I taught for 25 years and the last 10 was in an innercity school. I saw the same problems and poverty there that I saw in Ky. tonight. I saw 2 young men that had support (Chris and music teacher - Cody and pastor) but struggled to find who they were and where they fit in. I saw the same situations and problems, that these two were facing, everyday in the classroom. I know that there is hope in a lot of these young people and it is a beautiful thing when they grab ahold of encourangement and you watch them become the first member of their family to graduate from high school. I can see that Chris and Cody both have a lot to offer. I hope that they are doing well and if so that they can give back to the community they grew up in.

Tom Greene

Dear FRONTLINE,

I have not written about any program in over 20 years. I happened to watch "Country Boys" this evening and it was the best show I have watched in a very long time. When it was first advertised it seemed something I wouldn't be interested in. However after viewing it by accident for 5 minutes I was so sorry to see it end. Chris won my heart and if I had the money I would give him a college scholarship to show him what can be done with the right motivation. He is way ahead of many boys his age as he knows himself well. He knows he doesn't want to be like his father, he knows he is shy and doesn't say much and he knows his own feelings, drawbacks, emotions and is totally honest with himself. That is way ahead of most teens his age who really do not know themself as well as he. His insight gives him a big edge over others. He is bright, creative but doesn't seem to have the family support to push him to great things which, if you watch him closely, he is definitely capable of. I think this was one of the most in depth pictures of the area and what happened when the town died, what is left and its effect on the people living there. My hat goes off to the person who thought of doing this program. I can't wait to see Part 2/and Chris...I am rooting for you...if you haven't met your goals you are certainly capable of attaining what you set you mind to do. Hats off to you and the person who decided to visit your town and your inhabitants for the most in depth look at this society and the problems of the people.

Valerie Talmadge

Dear FRONTLINE,

Touching and powerful, David Sutherland has truly captured the emotion of the challenges facing these young men and so many others like them in our nation today. Anxious about facing an uncertain future; trapped in a small town struggling to survive; we have been provided us with an intimate glimpse of these young men's humanity and raw since of dignity. Their personal display of courage and determination to succeed truly represents the human spirit and is nothing less than inspiring. Thank you for telling this American story.

A. Poincot
San Diego, CA