Senior of the Week: Will Morris
By: Lauren Kim, Selim Kim, Emi Levine, Sophie Ma
For years, Phillips Exeter Academy radio’s [WPEA], “Wicked Good Sports Talk,” has blessed the ears of its many devoted listeners week in and week out. But who is the face behind the magic?
That would be Newburyport resident and WPEA general manager, senior Will “Willmo” Morris. On top of his work at the campus radio station, Will is a three-season distance runner, Cilley Hall day-student proctor and an avid contributor to his hometown’s chapter of The Special Olympics.
Morris’s interest in Exeter came about from his family. “My grandparents lived in Hampton, which is right next to Exeter and when visiting them, I had driven by the campus hundreds of times with my family and my older brother. He ended up applying and he got in, so I always had an idea of Exeter in my head,” Morris said.
While Morris is now known around campus as a committed distance runner, that was not always the case. When he first arrived at Exeter, Morris admitted that he didn’t expect distance running to become “his thing.” “I grew up playing soccer and basketball and more team sports. I've played soccer since I was five, but I knew when I got here that, for me, it was probably time to move on and try something new. I decided to try cross country.”
“I think my first year with the team, I was quiet because I was a little bit overwhelmed by everything. It was obviously a really tight knit group. I really appreciate all those older guys like Jimmy Liu, EJ Porras, and John Martel for bringing me, who was just a quiet prep, into the team,” Morris added.
Morris has now become “the older guy,” filling in the shoes of his previous mentors. “Will is someone that I look up to. He taught me a lot about how cross country works, he brought me closer to the team, and he’s just somebody that I really like to look up to for advice,” prep and fellow team member Pearce Covert said.
Describing Morris’s legacy on the cross country team, lower Advay Nomula added, “Willmo will be a legend commonly referred to amongst the cross country team in years to come.”
Morris also talked about what drew him to cross country and track over his previous sports. “I think it's the team aspect of it for me. Although you race by yourself and set individual goals, at the same time, you're able to form these really close connections with people,” Morris said. “That was the case for me with guys like Tommy and Garrett. They came into the team with me and we all started out low and we've worked our way up, at least a little.”
He continued, “Even if you’re not talking much during a workout, there is something special about grinding through a tempo with your teammates that brings you closer together. Recovery days are more relaxed, and you have the opportunity to chat and explore new trails with your friends. I know I'll look back fondly on all the memories I have with my teammates.”
Along with running and his academics, Morris is a central part of WPEA, being a co-general manager of the radio station. When asked about it, Morris said, “I started [WPEA] my first term here. I teamed up with my brother, John, who had a sports talk show with Will Coogan and Henry Pallatroni. Sports are ingrained into New England culture, so I've grown up a huge fan of all Boston teams. John, Henry, and Will have all graduated, but I've had an awesome time running the show with my new co-hosts Kamran Murray and Jonny Chen.”
Morris then described what makes the show so special to him. “Being in the station, you feel like a professional with all the equipment in front of you. My show has a talk show format, so it's mostly spitballing back and forth, but it's a fun hour where you get to take a little break from the hustle of Exeter,” Morris said. “Some of my best memories are in the studio, having a good time, spreading the gospel of Tom Brady with those guys.”
Senior Chieko Imamura believes that Morris’s show will leave a notable legacy. “That show is insane,” she said. “It was passed down from his brother and every time somebody leaves, they just bring in a younger student so it's been going on for years and years and years, which I think is super cool,” Imamura said.
Aside from his on-campus activities, Morris has proved to be a true Exonian off-campus as well, displaying what it means to be non sibi. “I’ve been volunteering at the Special Olympics in Newburyport every Sunday morning since eighth grade. I coach athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities in soccer during the fall, basketball during the winter, and track in the spring,” Morris explained.
It is clear that Morris has grown substantially through this work. “All the athletes I’ve worked with, no matter the age or skill level, have huge hearts and show up every week ready to compete,” Morris said. “Volunteering has definitely put things in perspective for me, especially at a place like Exeter where it’s easy to get bogged down in school work. These are people and families who worry about things much greater than their next English paper and math test. I’m inspired every week by what these athletes are able to overcome.”
While his pastimes on-campus and off-campus have contributed immensely to his personal growth, the friendships and connections he has made at Exeter are equally important. “A lot of kids on the cross country team have greatly impacted my time here, like Sam Kim who graduated in 2020. He was definitely a big mentor for me. Having an older guy look out for me like that was very cool and meant a lot. Connor Chen, Gavin Pitt, Bradley, Tommy, Garrett, and basically all the seniors on the cross country team have always been there for me,” he said.
Many of Morris’s friends over the years describe him as a positive and friendly person and admire him for his kind attitude. Senior and boys’ cross country captain Bradley St. Laurent considers Morris to be “one of the kindest, most genuine people [he’s] ever met.”
“He just really wants what's best for everyone. Willmo sees the best in everyone and he just makes you see your value in yourself,” St. Laurent continued. “A lot of the guys call him the real captain of cross country, just because everyone respects him so much and he looks out for everyone.”
Lower William Weber agreed. “He's leading by example in the way he lives his life. Especially on the cross country team, he spreads his positive outlook on the rest of the people he's running with, and it enables other people to be their best selves.”
“He's a very fun-loving and easygoing person, and I think that's a pretty unique personality to have around Exeter. He tends to be a good balance to a lot of people, and is an easy person to talk to. It really brightens your day whenever you see him,” senior and girls’ cross-country captain Kaitlyn Flowers added.
“If anyone hasn't talked to Will, they should. It's a life changing experience,” senior Caden Schroeder added.
Morris closed off by giving some final advice to his fellow Exonians. “Whatever your interests may be, this school is going to have a place for you. You have to take advantage of what is here,” Morris said. “This place can be stressful if you only focus on your work. Exeter is rigorous, but I don't think that's what makes it such a special place. What makes Exeter special is all the incredible resources and opportunities that it has to offer. Through all the activities I've participated in, I've grown so much as a person and formed countless relationships that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.
