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.

Pull Your Masks Up, Boys [Opinion]

Junior+and+journalism+student+Ben+Keller+models+the+nose-over-mask+look.
Quill staff
Junior and journalism student Ben Keller models the nose-over-mask look.

Until now, I have been silent about my burning, burning hatred of the exposed noses of ‘masked’ kids at this school.

The teachers are all doing a fantastic job; I didn’t even know what Math teacher Jordan Wright’s face looked like until the other day.

But there are a few kids in my classes, who I won’t name, who wear their masks under their noses all day. And when I see this once or twice during my classes I tend to look the other way. It’s no big deal if you happen to let it slip when you yawn.

But when I can see your bearded, ugly face the entire class for three, sometimes four, classes every day, with a witch’s broom for a nose hanging out of your mask, it’s just so infuriating. It’s intentional. They think they’re too cool to be safe or something. 

I always visualize myself walking up to them and duct taping their disposable mask to their face and sending them on their way. But I never say anything. It would make me seem like a suck-up. But a suck up to whom?  Doctor Fauci? That’s dumb. I – and everyone else who sees and ignores this blatant health hazard – should speak up regardless of fear.

Instead, we all find ourselves paralyzed; we’re unable to speak up for the sake of our own health for fear of judgement. As the Boston Globe‘s Robby Robinson said in the movie Spotlight, one guy leans on another guy. One unmasked idiot leans on someone just a little scared to speak out, and suddenly all of us have our noses out like it’s a gunfight with virus instead of bullets.

This one particular time I saw a student who, again, will remain nameless. He went unmasked for almost the entire Statistics class simply because he had a fountain drink from Chipotle. Why?

How much easier is it to breathe with your mask down? Do you feel like the big strong, invincible meathead you so badly wish you were now that the whole classroom is breathing your germs in during the worst viral outbreak in 300 years?

I know this is likely a small thing. I know that there’s a slim chance that this guy gives someone covid because his mask was underneath his nose. But it makes you look and seem uneducated when you do it. You’re basically saying, “Hey, I know that there’s a pandemic and I know that masks are the #1 defense against it, but I don’t really care about you or your families.” 

I’d like to particularly compliment Science teacher David Brock on his mask vigilance this year. Of the teachers I’ve encountered with mask-delinquent students, he’s been the best at catching them. There’s a time and place for everything, and now is the time to follow Mr. Brock’s example and help us all stay safe, and hopefully end the ridiculousness of COVID-19.

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About the Contributor
Ben Graff, Contributor
Ben, class of ‘22, is an avid writer and future student at Goucher College, who enjoys writing spooky and thrilling stories. Ben also swims, and hopes to coach a small armada of mini-Bens one day.
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    Emmet Neff-McGreadyFeb 15, 2022 at 1:04 pm

    ben keller lookin good!

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