Dawg Dynasty: What it’s like being a fourth-generation Bulldog

Dawg Dyansty

WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING A FOURTH-GENERATION BULLDOG

By Gabi Emery

It’s Wyatt Morse’s first year attending West. In many ways, Morse’s freshman experience has been just like any other student’s: he’s experienced his first assembly, gone to his first school dance, and finally learned how to navigate the halls. But unlike most freshmen, Morse was already well known by both students and staff. While some students’

Pete Morse’s senior yearbook photo, class of 1987.

first encounter with West is their first day of school, Morse has been familiar with West since he was a child. His father, his grandparents, and even his greatgrandmother all attended West for their high school years, making Morse a fourth generation West student. Having such a long history with the school has affected Morse’s high school experience, both positively and negatively. “A lot of the teachers knew my dad. Like principal Susie Orsborn knows both my mom and my dad really well, so I definitely feel like I’m held to a higher standard,” said Morse. “It makes me a little extracurriculars such as sports. Since the beginning of nervous, but I’m glad.” the school year, he’s played both football and basketball, This kind of familiarity has also affected his and is now currently playing on the golf team. Both his experience in other aspects, specifically when it comes to dad and his grandfather were also involved in sports

programs during their time at West, and as such, Morse has an abundance of guidance available to him--especially with his dad, Peter Morse, as his coach. “My dad is very [involved] for sure. Sometimes a little too much, but it definitely helps,” said Morse. “That was definitely weird this year for football, getting coached by him.” And not only does his dad coach at the school, but his mom, Molly Morse, is also the health occupations teacher. But even though it might be strange to have two parents always at the school he attends, having such a heavy involvement Pete and Wyatt Morse posing for a picture with the school after a basketball game. has helped create a unique environment that he’s grown appreciative of. Since he’s lived near West for most of his life, Wyatt Morse posing he’s grown up with Marcia and Peter around West’s Morse for a photo after sports programs. a JV football game. Pete Morse It’s nostalgic posing with a to finally be pole vault as one of the a senior track highschoolers he’s hung around since he was a child. “Growing up here has helped because watching those games from a little kid’s perspective. It’s different being an eight year old coming [to the games] to being a student here…it’s just a different atmosphere,” said Morse. “I’ve been there at the practices since I was little, and I used to be the kid running up and down sidelines throwing the ball to the ref, stuff like that.”

Marcia Morse’s senior yearbook photo, class of 1967 Left Pete Morse wearing his graduation attire, and (right) Morse sitting in the bottom row, second from the right, for a photo. Pete Morse, sitting in the bottom row second from the right, poses for a photo of his senior year track team in 1987. Pete Morse acts as second leading receiver on the team in the 1986 game against Corvallis.