Popcorn Prophets and ENHS Students Spread Holiday Cheer to Local Children
EDINBURG, TEXAS — The team behind Popcorn Prophets, the upcoming South Texas feature film written and produced by Reynaldo Leal and directed and produced by Nate Boyer, has presented holiday gifts to the Edinburg North High School senior class of 2026 in support of their annual Christmas toy drive benefiting local elementary school children.
For Leal, a graduate of Edinburg North High School, the moment was especially meaningful.
The presentation took place alongside Edinburg North High School Principal Fernando Delgado, Coach Laura McCallum, and Dannie McCallum, who have worked closely with the senior class to organize and distribute gifts throughout the community.
Thanks to a generous donation from a local Secret Santa, the initiative was able to double its impact this year. The number of children receiving gifts increased from 30 to 60, allowing the students to reach twice as many families during the holiday season.
The holidays were often difficult in Leal’s childhood home, and he remembers what it felt like to hope for a gift during Christmas.
“Christmas was tough for us growing up, and I know how much even one small gesture can mean to a child,” said Leal. “Seeing students from my own alma mater lead this effort and knowing we helped them double their impact is incredibly moving. This is what community looks like.”
Boyer, a U.S. Army Green Beret Veteran and filmmaker, said the moment reflects the values at the core of Popcorn Prophets.
“The Valley is embracing this story with a kind of generosity I will never forget,” Boyer said. “Helping these students reach more children during Christmas is our way of honoring that spirit. This partnership brings the heart of Popcorn Prophets to life.”
The Edinburg North High School senior class will continue managing distribution through their established partnerships with local elementary schools. Popcorn Prophets encourages community members to reach out and help them support even more children next holiday season.
This collaboration reflects the film’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the Rio Grande Valley, where the movie will be filmed and where the story was born.
