Local-born teen carries torch in global relay

By Jon Moffett

The boy and his mother run and train together.

YOUNGSTOWN — Some teenagers are too busy thinking about themselves to worry about world issues. But David Morrison is not your average teenager.

Instead of spending his summer vacation on the baseball diamond or at the pool, the 14-year-old is running.

David is taking part in the World Harmony Run. According to its Web site, the run is “a global relay that seeks to promote international friendship and understanding.” The relay takes place in more than 100 countries.

“This is a very great thing to do. We get to spread harmony and see beautiful parts of the country,” David said.

David was born in Youngstown, but moved to Florida seven years ago. His mother, Cynthia, was born in Mexico and ran with her mother in the Mexican relay as a teenager. She and her son know firsthand what it is like to experience cultural insensitivity.

“When we moved to Florida, the neighbor kids would say, ‘You are half-Mexican, we hate you.’ Now the kids don’t feel that. They had to have learned it from their parents or family environment.”

Cynthia added that she is incredibly proud of her son. She said David was able to understand the true meaning of the run.

“It sends a message of friendship and awareness of humanity,” Cynthia said. “It says that no matter your race or color or anything, we’re all people and we should get along.”

David showed an interest in running as early as 12, his mother said. Cynthia added that she and David run and train together.

“She helps me,” David said. “This brings us closer together.”

David is the youngest member of his team, and his participation is clearly evident to his teammates.

“We feel really good about [David’s being here],” said Bansidar Medeiros, David’s team leader. “Since our future is in the hands of our youth, when you see a runner like David, it’s a very special experience for us. It’s heartening and inspiring. He gives us his enthusiasm and his freshness.”

Medeiros was involved in the first World Harmony Run in the United States in 1987. Since then, he has run in the event in Mexico, Venezuela, Indonesia, Canada, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, China and his native Hawaii.

The relay began April 15 at the United Nations in New York. The four-month event features teams who run trough all 48 continental states. The relay finishes Aug. 15 back at the United Nations.

Since David was still in school when the race began, he joined up in Seattle and will run with them until they reach Chicago. Though he won’t be able to participate in the entire run, David expresses interest in doing it again in the future.

“It is sending a very positive message of trying to better the world,” David said. “Mr. Medeiros said that the future is our youth, so harmony begins with me. We can make the future better.”