Dear FRONTLINE,

I have been involved in missions to the David School in David, KY since 1999 and am very glad by the way you have portrayed the school. My church has brought 20 youth and adults to be a part of this community for a week in the summers and for a weekend in the winters. We have been deeply moved by the love of this community.

We have also been deeply moved by the love the staff has for the students and for the community. They are constantly helping others help themselves. I was moved last night when Mitsy announced her leaving the school. Danny Greene and Betty Cavins have been a blessing to us in our many years of service. I hope this program moves people into action to help others in need.

Raleigh Langley
Louisville, KY

Dear FRONTLINE,

As a Filipino American striving to attain a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, much of what was shown strikes deep within me. I was very much glued to the tv. I just soaked everything in from the beautiful rural countryside of Kentucky, simple gems of the music, and most of all for the portrayal of Cody and Chris' life. I believe I took alot of insights from the show in regards to my faith, future aspirations and the struggles of the American people. Bravo! PBS and Chris and Cody.I wish there are more shows like this.

Anthony Rosero
West Allis, WI

Dear FRONTLINE,

"Country Boys" really brought the people of Appalachia back into focus for me. I grew up in South West Virginia and knew that the poverty exhibited in the documentary existed, but I never realized that people of such character and determination existed. I went to school with many people who never traveled further than 30 miles from home.

As a teacher in suburban Washington, DC, I see students share many of the same frustrations...only the circumstances differ. I will try harder to give a boost up for all those who come after Cody and Chris. I applaud you!

Michael Hudson
Manassas, Virginia

Dear FRONTLINE,

I'm a 52 year old, grew up in a town of 200 in upstate New York and can relate to these two young men in the biggest way. Professionally I am a counselor and see so much potential in them and wish I could tell them that.

TV has sunk to the depths of voyeurism and reality shows and are watched by the viewing public b/c so many people are bored with their own lives. But not Country Boys! This has got to be the most worthwhile show I have seen for a very long time. Thank you so very much and I can't wait to see tonight's conclusion.

charles loucks
aurora, co

Dear FRONTLINE,

I'm a retired Assistant County Supterintendent of Schools in Santa Clara County, California and currently as a retiree, I'm working with 15 Alternative Schools Sites in the County. The Program I work with is called ArtsConnect. This Program places artists into the Alternative School Sites. We found that these residencies were effective in helping students access their creative functions, but enhanced their intellectual, social and emotional deveopment as well.

Your story portrays in a very sensitive way the trials and tribulations of those students who are on the fringe. It also shows how difficult it is to relate to and address the emotional, intellectual and social issues faced by Cody and Chris. This documentary validates the need for caring adults,teachers, administrators, health care professionals, government officials and others to work together to address youth at-risk issues. Most of all I really appreciated the courage shown by Cody and Chris to open up their lives for National Television.

I commend Mr Sutherland, Frontline,PBS, KQED Channel 9 for airing this series. Now I'm really anxious to see the 3rd episode!

Mitsu KumagaiSan Jose, California

Mitsu Kumagai
San Jose, California 95112

Dear FRONTLINE,

Ive always been a fan to your broadcasts and the questions that get asked, the Country Boys episoded was fantastic and gives me hope that still television can serve a better purpose as opposed to the standard fare given now.

This program had heart and soul about these boys in rural America. I hope they can formulate that even though the odds stack up against them they can create what they want to acchieve through persistence. I know this for a fact I am a self trained artist that has overcome many obstecles myself and at my 47th year in life Ive learned that you have to go with what you have in your gut and try to bypass all the other distractions and its tough.

This is the type of content that people of their age should watch, this is REALITY TV keep up the good work and I will continue to support the other firstimer doc. filmakers and to the boys in the film I wish all the sucsess in their lives. Sean Guerrero

Sean Guerrero
denver , co.

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am a senior at The David School. This is my third and final year at the school, and I really believe it is a school where anyone who wants to learn can.

Before watching Country Boys I was afraid that my school would not be depicted accurately. I know of the stereotypes that plaugue Appalachia, and I was afraid that Country Boys would reinforce these stereotypes.

I have to say I was pleasently surprised however. The film maker shows and honest portrayal of everyday life. He doesn't accentuate the negative and try to hide the positive.

I have a lot of respect for the director, and I believe he did justice to the stories of Chris, Cody, and The David School.

Jonathan Meadows
Paintsville, Kentucky

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you for putting forward the story of many young men and women of the Appalachian region. As a professor of education, and one that works with students who are going to be teachers, I appreciate the modeling of accountability and compassion evident by the teachers of the David School. Chris' and Cody's life if not much different from a growing population of rural, struggling-class students. This economic and intellectual divide is a far greater threat to American culture and society than weapons of mass destruction.

Please continue to "educate" America about the struggles of a vast majority of today's rural high school students.

Eastern Mennonite University

Mark Hogan, PhD
Bridgewater, VA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I just wanted to say that I think this is probably one of the best movies I've seen ever. I think Cody is a little stoned sometimes maybe, and wonder if you should have let that in because I've been to Kentucky many times, and it's abundant as Jesus. I like that you included Jessica's father and his blue grass. I hope he gets some attention proper for that. I'd also like to say that Appalachia extends for a long time, and the essence of it (poverty) goes west, south, and northwest. It's funny America's heartland has so much heart and so little attention.

Greta Hund
York, PA

Dear FRONTLINE,

This story renews my belief in the human spirit. With just about everything going against them, the two boys seem to hang on to the basic human instinct of "trying to overcome". I can relate some because of my Kentucky birth, but I wonder what would have happened to me if my parents (and I had two loving parents) would had stayed in eastern Kentucky. God bless 'em.

Tony Jones
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Dear FRONTLINE,

I've worked for two decades in an alternative high school here in central Texas. I've often wondered, as I cajole/persuade/mentor a student through hours of makeup work so that he/she can pass a term, what I was really teaching that student, and if intensive hours of working with a teacher to scrape together all the undone stuff would ever leave any impression.

After watching "Country Boys" (around here we call them "kickers") I understand that sometimes just having an adult who is interested in a student, treats him/her with respect, and supports the process of solving difficulties, is important to that student--just as important as doing the English assignments. Thank you!

Marilyn Pickens
Austin, Texas

Dear FRONTLINE,

How is it that Ray Riddle has not been discovered? I have never heard such a talented man who not only can sing, but can write wonderful songs as well. PBS please get his songs in the hands of someone in Nashville. The world is missing out on Ray Riddle!

A. B.
Atlanta, GA

FRONTLINE's editors respond:

There's more about Ray Riddle in the Cody Story section of this web site, under "Frequently Asked Questions." There's also the music video with the soundtrack of one of his songs, "This Old Highway."

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am a sixty eight year old grandmother and this program made me smile and cry. These two young men are so appealing in their drive to survive. I have always known I was blessed in the family I was raised in. Even though I was raised in a war zone. The love that was given to me, by my mother and grandmother, always made me feel secure.

My heart goes out to these young men who were expected to be the adults in the family long before they were ready for this responsibility. I hope and pray Chris and Cody and all the others at David School will find their way to success. Not just to survive but to find contentment in purpose driven life and to fullfill their dreams. To you all, I won't soon forget you. God bless

daphne heath

Dear FRONTLINE,

Not since Ken Burns "The Civil War" have I seen anything so profoundly moving on television. The unbelievable honesty spoken by so many people in this program took my breath away time after time.

I grew up in an 8x40 trailer in rural Colorado in a family of seven so much of this hit a nerve. The true test for both Chris and Cody will be to carry on once their "fifteen minutes of fame" are over. I wish them and all the students of the David School....and indeed all the children of the world the very best of luck.

And finally amid the closeup of poverty I was struck in the backround by the beauty of Kentucky, the music in which so many in the film found solace and the beautiful souls found in so many in the film.

Gary Tucker
Denver, Colorado

Dear FRONTLINE,

Wow, what an amazing documentary. It's tough to see the real struggles these two brave young men go through. I am amazed at the wisdom and courage they have, even after all the difficult obstacles each of them have faced and continue to face.

I want to yell..."Don't give up, you can do it!" I am a future educator and hope to one day touch children's lives the way the faculty, staff and principal at David's School do. This program really shows how important it is to have supportive and caring educators in schools.

Melissa Landry