H.E.A.R.T.

…is the reason that we run and the desire to do it. It means that every time we step out onto the course we can say we gave the all that we have and will to do it to the team. I now ask you to envision the reason why you run, and then take that desire to fulfill that need and channel it. Let’s do a comparison to the our past: shall we talk of the legendary Johnny Quest?

Why though you ask Mr. Quest…why a cartoon of old? I challenge you to realize the reason why Johnny was oh so cool. His legacy lays in the Questworld, the place where the mind is unleashed. I challenge you to find your Questworld in your mind where the only limit is the extent that you can bend your abilities to your will. So if we must run in the Questworld, then you need a mentor someone to lead the way. Is it the voice of Dr. Quest (Coach Zehr) teaching you to train so that every movement is second nature and the computer pathways become the race course. I wish all of you to understand that I want all of you to realize that you have no limits except that which you set upon yourself, and you can only measure yourself on the scale that you set and define yourself not by the clock but my the effort you are willing to put in.

So who shall be Johnny…the master of the Questworld? Who shall be "Race" Bannon…the stoic leader standing behind supporting the team and coming in at the time of direst need? Who shall be Jessie Bannon…the projection of female empowerment and trustworthiness? And never forget the people who will be Bandit, always there to support…the parents on the wings never judging but always expecting improvement.

You are the embodiment of the strength and power that Morton can produce. You are the best that Morton High School has, you can achieve more than Morton has achieved before. But you must do it together…the characters of Johnny Quest were a team and that was why they achieved so much. The mind is your limit, but it is expandable and flexible. Take the time make the team one enitity that runs together and works together.

You are the Men and Women of Morton Cross Country and you have been chosen to achieve so much more.

Nathan