Friends School of Baltimore's Student News * Founded 1938

The Quaker Quill

Friends School of Baltimore's Student News * Founded 1938

The Quaker Quill

Friends School of Baltimore's Student News * Founded 1938

The Quaker Quill

Friends juniors prepare for the 2023 Homecoming dance.
'Back to the Future' at Friends School [Brief]
Homecoming 2023 threw students from the '80s to the future, as DJ Ok got everyone on their feet, and even faculty busted a move.
Fans line up for snowballs from a Kona Ice truck during a break in the rain on Scarlet and Grey day.
Scarlet & Grey Day Hits the Quarter Century Mark [Brief]
On a recent rainy Saturday, Park and Friends School sports teams faced off in a series of contests, cheered on by hundreds of soggy fans.
On the final day of Spirit Week, seniors dressed in Friends School colors - scarlet and grey - for the annual Pep Rally.
A Silly, Spirited Week [Brief]
Leading up to Rivalry Day, students dressed up to show their school spirit - and sense of humor.
A senior accesses the Common App landing page for the University of Delaware. As college deadlines approach, the class of 24 is sleepy and stresses.
Seniors Feel College Pressure as Early Deadlines Approach [Brief]
The mood in senior hall is tense, as sleep-starved teens scramble to finish their essays - along with a heavy load of mid-semester schoolwork.
The Morgan State University Marching Band processes down the Friends School driveway, lined with cheering crowds of students, from preschoolers to 12th graders.
In a Year of Tragedy, Morgan Band Concert a Particular Gift [Brief]
Friends students expressed gratitude for the marching band's energetic performance - especially so soon after a shooting on the Morgan State University campus injured five students.
In Orioles fan and 12th grade dean Josh Carlins office, Friends memorabilia and a recent Baltimore Sun front page celebrating the teams winning season have pride of place.
Fans Dress for MLB Success on Friends' 'Orange Thursday' [Brief]
Led this season by an exciting core of young, up-and-coming stars, the Orioles have won back the hearts of many Friends School fans.
Award-winning novelist Jenny Offill visits the 10th grade English class of Rob Traviesso - her own former student.
Upper School Author Visit Brings Reunion [Brief]
Novelist Jenny Offill spent a day on campus meeting with students at the invitation of her own former student - English teacher Rob Travieso.
Senior Maeve Reichert, head of the literary magazine Mock Turtle, talks to potential 9th grade recruits during the 2023 clubs fair.
Highlights From Upper School Clubs Fair [Brief]
Dozens of clubs showed their stuff and courted new members at the high-energy, candy-fueled gathering on the quad.
Seniors line up in the heat to have their final yearbook photos taken.
Seniors Say (Melted) Cheese? [Brief]
This year's senior yearbook portraits fell during a record heat wave.
Lunch & M? Try Lunch & Melting [Brief]
Lunch & M? Try Lunch & Melting [Brief]
Heat broke records this month at Friends School of Baltimore.

Rod Wave’s ‘Beautiful Mind’ Inspires [Review]

A lot of 17-year-olds haven’t even had a job. The songs on Wave’s new album show he was forced to grow up faster than I could imagine.
Cover+of+the+2022+album+Beautiful+Mind+by+Rod+Wave
Courtesy of Alamo Records
Cover of the 2022 album “Beautiful Mind” by Rod Wave

“Beautiful Mind” is an album by Rod Wave, released in August 2022. I first started listening to Wave in middle school, when he dropped “Heart on Ice” back in 2019.

His new album, “Beautiful Mind,” consists of 24 songs. I really enjoy most of them (except “Quiet Storm,” mainly because the song is so different from the others. It just doesn’t feel like Wave’s usual style.)

If I were to rank the top five songs, I would say:

  1. “Yungen”
  2. “Alone”
  3. “I Know It”
  4. “Rockstar Heart”
  5. “Me vs. The World”

When I look at the titles of these songs, I can feel that Wave is talking about himself, and his experience coming up from the bottom. His story is remarkable and inspiring, and his dedication to making his dreams come true really shows his determination and perseverance.

“This was my dream,” he raps in the song “Yungen.” “I always believed, but I couldn’t see this comin.”

 Those lyrics support my beliefs about his dedication to his dream. The song also shows how far he has come.

“I used to walk to the school, walk to the store, catch the buses,” he sings. “Now I’m in the back of the Bach and catching jets across the country.”

In these lyrics, he is talking about how he had no transportation growing up, but now he’s made it. “Bach” refers to a Maybach, a present day expensive car – and he uses his private jet to travel around the world. I suppose rapping about it is a way of flexing. 

In the song “Alone,” the vibe and meaning is self-explanatory.

“One day, you’re here, next day you’re gone,” he sings. He seems to feel like it’s only him on his side, and he’s the only one there to pick himself up – hence another song title in the album. “Me vs. The World.”

When he sings: “On the early mornings, and the long nights,” he shows how long his days were, and how much time he sacrificed to get where he is today.

In the song “I Know It,” Wave says: “You know I met this cold world when I was seventeen.”

This shows he thrived from even his pre-adult days – which is unusual. A lot of other 17-year-olds haven’t even had a job yet. Wave was forced to grow up even faster than I could imagine. 

A long verse that caught my attention is when he says:

So many things in his brain at one time.
Wake up in the morning and get straight to business.
In the back of my mind, I hear the clock ticking.

This is a very powerful verse that gives the listeners an image of what his life was. For me, I picture him waking up, getting ready – then spending the day making songs, setting off his career.

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About the Contributor
Asante Elson, Contributor
Asante, class of '24, came to Friends in 9th grade from all the way down in Anne Arundel County.
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