Alumni News: January 2024
Hello! For those of you who I do not know, my name is Sophia Springer (that's me in the Friends sweatshirt) and I am the new Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement at Friends.
Before I jump into my story, I want to ask you a question: What does it mean to you to be a Friends School Alum?
While I don’t need an answer, I’d love to hear from those who would like to share.
Okay, on to me now… I am a Friends School alum myself, Class of 2013. I came to Friends my freshman year of high school. Like many students, I was involved in quite a bit: I played soccer, softball, and eventually basketball. I became an Art Major student for 11th and 12th grade. I was a peer educator, participated in several clubs, was selected as a FSAA Senior representative, and more. All on top of the rigorous academics that Friends provides.
After Friends, I spent four years abroad at Franklin University Switzerland studying International Management. I then went on to work in the wine industry managing marketing for a global auction house based in Chicago. Most recently, I was working in New York City as an assistant wine buyer. I decided I wanted a change, so here I am back at Friends!
Being in my role at Friends means I have the opportunity to learn about you, fellow alumni. I also have the fortune of helping bring the Friends community, current and past, together. This means I have to understand what it means to you to be a Friends School alum (remember that question I posed…).
I hope in the next couple of months to engage with various alumni groups and start to hear your perspective on being an alum. Whether it’s hosting alumni on campus for an activity or organizing a social in your city, I hope to learn more about the larger alumni network we have.
I invite you to help me with that effort as well! If you are on campus, drop by the Development Office and say hello. If you have been looking for a way to be more involved with the Friends community, join the Alumni Association Board. If you are looking for a connection in a certain area but do not know where to start, let’s chat and see how the Friends network can assist. Share your business updates and connect with me on LinkedIn (I'm looking for alumni to spotlight in upcoming newsletters)!
Send me an email, give me a ring, come visit. I would love the opportunity to meet you and learn what it means to you to be a Friends School alum.
Sophia Springer '13 Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement
(PS I promise future newsletters won’t be as lengthy!)
Alumni Weekend | May 2–5, 2024
We are excited to welcome the classes ending in 4 and 9 back to campus to celebrate their reunions! Make sure to:
Volunteer for your Reunion Committee! As we inch closer to Alumni Weekend we are looking for volunteers to join the Reunion Committee. The committee members support engagement, outreach, event planning and/or fundraising efforts. If you are interested in participating or have questions about the committee, please email alumni@friendsbalt.org.
Alumni Happenings and News
First Year College Alumni Speak with Class of 2025
On January 5, the Alumni and College Counselling Offices welcomed five young alumni from the Class of 2023 on campus to speak with current 11th graders about their college search process and to provide a glimpse into their first semester college experience. The Juniors were attentive and engaged, asking questions about the essay process, financial aid, campus life, and of course not skipping a beat to find out about the college dining scene!
Thank you to Oluchi (Brown University), Joey (Amherst College), Ben (The College of Wooster), Lex (Stanford University), and Divine (UCLA) for taking the time out of their winter breaks to share their experience with the Class of 2025!
Russian 5 Class Hosted 5th Annual Russian Style Old New Year’s Party
On January 6, the Russian 5 class and Lee Roby hosted an Old New Year’s Party for alumni of the Russian program. The students made traditional dishes and greeted alumni with holiday cheer.
This year, the group honored Zita Dabars, beloved Upper School Russian teacher from 1975-1997, who passed away in November 2021. Zita began the Old New Year’s party tradition for friends of the Russian program many years ago and the Russian program alumni continue it today!
20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
On a snowy January 15th, the Friends community came together to host its 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Volunteers participated in 16 different activities organized by the Friends School Parents Association. Several members of the Alumni Association Board participated in the Baltimore Hunger Project activity, creating 100 snack packs for students in the community experiencing food insecurity.
Award to be Presented at Saturn Awards Ceremony in Honor of the Late Lance Reddick ’80
Lance Reddick ’80 rose to international acclaim as Lieutenant Cedric Daniels in The Wire, Police Chief Irvin Irving in Bosch, General Caulfield in White House Down, Matthew Abaddon in Lost, and most recently as Charon in the John Wick movie franchise. In his honor, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films has announced the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award. It will be awarded “to those with talent, good character, and who serve as a ‘true goodwill ambassador’.” This year’s award will be received by co-star Keanu Reeves, a tribute to the resounding legacy Reddick left in Hollywood. Read Deadline's full article here.
Northwestern University Honoring the Late Lurell Stanley Davis ’70 With Musical Tribute
After Friends, L. Stanley Davis ’70 went on to attend Northwestern University and become one of the co-founders of the Northwestern Community Ensemble (NCE), their premiere and only Gospel choir on campus. In honor of Stanley's contributions to NCE, Northwestern, and the national Gospel music indusry, the University will host a musical experience "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing: A Musical Tribute to L. Stanley Davis," on Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Chicago that will honor the Black Gospel music tradition. Friends School alumni are invited to attend, please contact the Alumni Office for additional information.
Are you doing something exciting or interesting? Let us know so we can feature you in the newsletter! - alumni@friendsbalt.org
FSB Latest News
Engage with Friends
Join the FSB Alumni Association Board
Serve as a member of the Board and represent the greater Friends School alumni population. Email alumni@friendsbalt.org if you are interested in learning more.
Become Class Secretary
We are currently looking for secretaries for the following classes: 1979, 1994, 2009, 2019. See the full list of Class Secretaries and openings here.
Spend the Summer at Friends
Registration is now open for our popular day camp, Summer at Friends. Camps are available for ages 4 to 13. Imagine spending summer days enjoying Sports Camp on Deering Field or on stage in the Forbush Auditorium. With more than a dozen camps to choose from, there’s bound to be a whole lot of summer fun! We encourage you to register early as spaces are filling quickly.
Looking for a summer job? Come back to campus! Summer at Friends is hiring seasonal staff for Summer 2024. Available positions include special area teachers (art, science, music), coaches, swim staff (lifeguards, water safety instructors, pool ops), nurses, and group staff (head and assistant counselors).
Find out more on our website.
Athletic Coaches Needed
We are hiring coaches for Spring and Fall Athletics. To learn more and apply, email athletics@friendsbalt.org.
Help us reach our $2M goal! Give to The Fund for Friends
Philanthropy is the key to a robust and resilient community. Your gift to The Fund for Friends is an immediate way to support important initiatives for students and faculty this year. Friends relies on gifts from alumni, like us, to ensure it has the resources to provide the most impactful programs for our students.
Connect with Us On Social Media
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For additional information, ongoing volunteer opportunities or to get involved, please contact the Alumni Office: alumni@friendsbalt.org or 410-649-3205.
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