We asked people to participate in Real American Stories and were astonished by the responses. From people we stopped on the sidewalk to household names eager to tell their uniquely American stories, we invite you to watch selections that moved us.

 
Melinda Doolittle – NEW

Melinda Doolittle – NEW

This American Idol Finalist defied all the odds on her way to stardom.

Rachel Grusse – NEW

Rachel Grusse – NEW

A bi-lateral amputee, Rachel leads her teammates with a truly inspiring attitude.

New Haven Pizza Wars – NEW

New Haven Pizza Wars – NEW

New Haven’s battle over brick oven supremacy.

Robledo Family Winery – NEW

Robledo Family Winery – NEW

Reynaldo Robledo turned a $12  job into a million dollar operation.

Rick’s Picks – NEW

Rick’s Picks – NEW

Pushing the limits of pickling by bringing lots of taste to the traditional mason jar.

The Sphinx Org. – NEW

The Sphinx Org. – NEW

Aaron Dworkin brings classical music to the inner city, and opens up a world of possibilities.

Back On My Feet – NEW

Back On My Feet – NEW

Anne Mahlum starts a running program that helps homeless men reclaim their lives.

Hyde/Model Rugby – NEW

Hyde/Model Rugby – NEW

A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.

Hyde/Model Rugby – (CC)

Hyde/Model Rugby – (CC)

A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.

Project Healing Waters – NEW

Project Healing Waters – NEW

Bringing wounded vets fly-fishing to heal their mind and soul.

Operation Proper Exit – NEW

Operation Proper Exit – NEW

Taking wounded vets back to Iraq to provide emotional closure.

Tova Friedman – NEW

Tova Friedman – NEW

A Holocaust survivor, she was one of five children that survived from her town.

Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head

Owner, Sam Calagione overcame adversity to create, a bigger, bolder American beer.

Pat’s and Geno’s

Pat’s and Geno’s

Can it get any more American than steak, onions and cheese whiz on a homemade bun?

The Phillie Phanatic

The Phillie Phanatic

This lovable mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies brings imagination to life.

Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner

He talks about his journey from homelessness to financial freedom.

Air Guitar

Air Guitar

Some call air guitar part perf. art, pro wrestling and rock’n’roll. Whatever it is, it sure is fun.

Tom Clarke

Tom Clarke

He talks about seeing the last two 9/11 survivors being pulled from the wreckage.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

This July 4th patriotic pig out is rooted in love of country.

Fireworks by Grucci

Fireworks by Grucci

A family’s unbelievable story of courage, love and perseverance.

James Martinez

James Martinez

An Iraq War veteran, James talks about surviving a suicide attack and serving our country.

Giuliana Rancic

Giuliana Rancic

She talks about coming over from Italy as a child and the chances America has given her.

Gary Szabo

Gary Szabo

A firefighter who helped with the rescue efforts at the WTC after the 9/11 attacks.

Ken Krimstein

Ken Krimstein

He took his son to his first day of Kindergarten in NYC on 9/11.

Tara Deckard

Tara Deckard

She’s following in grandfather’s footsteps, paying it forward, and living up to her good name.

Teuta Dedvukaj

Teuta Dedvukaj

Her parents left Albania so she could grow up with the freedom to live out her “American Dream.”

Wayne Hosmer

Wayne Hosmer

An Iraqi veteran, he talks about the price of freedom.

Jillynn Rasmussen

Jillynn Rasmussen

A 1st grade teacher talks about teaching the Pledge of Allegiance to her students.

Mathew Knowles

Mathew Knowles

The father of entertainer Beyonce, he talks of the importance of reaching for your dreams.

Gidgett Lovingood

Gidgett Lovingood

She raised nine children and talks about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.

Fred & Tina Sayers

Fred & Tina Sayers

As devoted parents, they provided a safe and loving environment for over 40 foster babies.

Rachel Castaneda

Rachel Castaneda

She shares her ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles for the freedoms we enjoy in America.

Joe Dannenbaum IV

Joe Dannenbaum IV

Inspired by wounded soldiers, he’s in med school training to become a doctor in the U.S. Army.

Leeza Gibbons

Leeza Gibbons

Like her mother, she teaches her children that in America, anything is possible.

Musician LL Cool J

Musician LL Cool J

He shares his admiration for his grandfather and the importance of unity in America.

Military Wives

Military Wives

Julie Smith & Joyce Hogan have served our nation through their husbands’ military service.

Ken & Guen Williams

Ken & Guen Williams

They adpoted two children from Russia and share how the experience changed their lives.

Charles Ward

Charles Ward

Vietnam Vet who talks about how service changed his life and his feeling for this country.

Val Lofgreen

Val Lofgreen

He looks back and remembers what NYC was like on the day they buried JFK.

David Tyree

David Tyree

He compares football to unity and talks about the importance of America coming together.

CEO Jack Welch

CEO Jack Welch

Chairman and CEO of GE from 1981-2001, he talks about following your dreams.

Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher

She’s a 3rd generation American who talks of fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers.

Anthony Lassiter

Anthony Lassiter

A Vietnam Vet, Anthony talks about surviving a vicious attack, and the costs of freedom.

Peter & Dea Bauer

Peter & Dea Bauer

The couple talks about raising their kids and the freedoms we cherish in this country.

Alp Gurpinar

Alp Gurpinar

He emigrated from Turkey to go to college and follow his dreams.

Launa Costley

Launa Costley

A teacher who credits her ancestors for giving us the freedoms we share in this country.

Jimmie Sue Blose

Jimmie Sue Blose

She remembers the Oklahoma City bombing and how Americans stand together.

Thais Prado

Thais Prado

A Cuban American who talks about how her father risked his life to bring his family here.

Walter & Janet Loy

Walter & Janet Loy

Married for 52 years, they talk about growing up and raising a family in a small town.

Oleg Haskel

Oleg Haskel

He’s a Russian immigrant who talks about coming to America and achieving his dreams.

Andria Mellon

Andria Mellon

She talks about her ancestors’ hard work and sacrifice emigrating here from Greece.

George Padavil

George Padavil

He emigrated from India and talks about the opportunities America has given him.

Utkarsh Sata

Utkarsh Sata

He came from India to become an engineer and is currently applying for U.S. citizenship.

Stella Kozanecki

Stella Kozanecki

Her family has celebrated a family reunion every year for the past 70 years.

Montgomery Gentry

Montgomery Gentry

The award winning country music group talks about performing for the troops in Iraq.

13 Responses to “Hyde/Model Rugby – NEW”

  1. Chris said:

    Wow! So inspiring. Proof that with hard work and dedication anything in life is possible. Hats off to the Coaches and Players for the time and effort it takes to become a competitive Rugby team. It looks like the boys are having fun too which is key.

  2. Christina said:

    Great work Tal, I am so proud of you and the kids…you guys are inspirational to so many!

  3. Old #3 said:

    Great to see rugby played in HS and to see these talented young men exhibit the sportsmanship and camarderie that is unique to rugby.

  4. Fitz said:

    Awesome to see rugby spreading beyond the perceived borders it has had. As a collegiate rugby player, this makes me not only happy to see High School programs starting to pop up, but also makes me want to jump in and help out with such programs. Thanks for the great work!

  5. Matthew said:

    Adapt and overcome. We all should be so talented and dedicated. Props to both schools!

  6. Ron said:

    Awesome! Children that are being allowed to be children!

  7. Quan said:

    Im happy about the MSSD and Along with Gallaudet Univ as students of deaf school and Im so proud of all the accomplishments they have done

  8. Dan said:

    Truly inspirational. I think the saying is handicapable not handicapped.

  9. Mark Burke said:

    As much as our boys at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf are really excited about being the first All Deaf High School rugby team in the country, we are extremely grateful for Coach Bayer and his boys at Hyde for helping us get our rugby program started. We do look forward to more of the wonderful relationship we have established over the years in competition in various sports.

    The support from the rugby community since we have started rugby last spring are second to none as have heard from many wanting to offer their help and etc in different ways. Thank you for all of your support!

  10. tal bayer said:

    We at Hyde and the entire rugby community are excited for the future of Model Rugby. They are a class act and represent their school with distinction. Good luck and we look forward to building on our existing friendship.

    Coach Bayer
    Hyde Rugby

  11. Grant said:

    Brilliant. Great to see. Keep at it guys.

  12. Walt said:

    Congratulations to Model, Coach Bayer and all the players. Well done.

  13. Marie said:

    So glad to see the story about the deaf Rugby team of Model. My brother and sister are both deaf too. My brother played football 5 years for TSD (Tn School for the Deaf) and won several awards for his athletic ability. This is an awesome story. Keep up the good work!

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