On Friday, October 13th, the entire Friends School of Baltimore gathered along the driveway, dressed in scarlet and gray. From far away, students ranging from preschoolers to seniors in the Upper School could hear the booming drums and the beautiful brass from the Morgan State University (MSU) Marching Band. 

As the band marched and danced their way towards the gym, students filed in behind them. The band was rocking and every member had a certain level of swag and showmanship as they led a sea of scarlet and gray. New and old students alike followed them with excitement. 

Friends School has a great and longstanding relationship with Morgan State. The Morgan and Friends communities were heartbroken when they heard about the shooting on the Morgan campus on October 3rd, 2023, that injured five students. At the Pep Rally, Friends students said they felt honored that the band would come out so soon after this tragic event. 

After Morgan performed, student leaders presented them with a card designed by Doodle Club and signed by the community. 

Once in the Old Gym, the Friends community rallied around the MSU band’s performance with an even higher level of energy and enthusiasm than in past years. Friends School Athletic Association members ran around the entire student body on the floor, and into the stands above, cheering and high-fiving. The Friends mascot, the Quaker Man, made an appearance, and the atmosphere was electric.