Baltimore City Public Schools -

The Distinguished Men of Honor Program at Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School is more than just a monthly tradition—it’s a powerful movement to instill respect, responsibility, and leadership in young men. Spearheaded by School Registrar Lisa Wilson and fiercely backed by principal Dr. Sedrick Smith, the program encourages male staff to dress in formal wear once a month and engage with students through activities like reading aloud to the class. The program promotes confidence and self-esteem by creating an environment where students can see their educators, role models, and peers dressed with distinction. Through this initiative, students are learning that how they present themselves can profoundly influence how they feel, how they act, and how they are perceived by others. Young men are encouraged to carry themselves as individuals of honor—both within the school and their community.

The Power of Appearance as a Reflection of Self-Respect

At the heart of the Distinguished Men of Honor movement is the belief that when you look good, you feel good. “We want them to be good humans,” said Joseph White II, a 7th and 8th-grade math teacher and basketball coach. By dressing in formal wear, staff members show students that being well-dressed is about more than appearance—it reflects personal respect. For students like Amari J., a 6th grader, dressing up for the event felt like stepping into a more dignified version of himself. These moments of pride and self-respect have a lasting impact on the students, reinforcing their self-worth and potential, 

“This version of me is for important events,” Amari said, comparing the moment to wearing formal attire to attend church or a wedding.

Student Engagement and Ushering by Example

The program encourages students to step into leadership roles themselves. Amari and Christopher M., an 8th grader, participated in a recent day’s event by reading to younger students, helping them develop their reading skills. For Christopher, the experience was about more than just helping others:

“I think it’s beneficial for us as older kids to walk them through it,” Christopher said, acknowledging the responsibility of being an upperclassman. “We should help them learn how to get to where we are now.”

How Our Community Can Support

The program’s success also depends on the generosity of the community. Wilson encourages local businesses and community members to partner with the school and provide formal wear donations for students who may not have access to them. This support ensures that every student, regardless of background, can participate in the program and feel confident in their appearance. As Ms. Wilson remarked,

“We want our young men to feel and act like they are dressed—respectful, esteemed, and valued,” Wilson explained.

Expanding the Vision to The Elite Ladies of Honor

In January, the program will expand to include female students with the launch of the “Elite Ladies of Honor” initiative. Just as the male students dress up and engage with younger students, female students will have the opportunity to dress with pride and interact with influential women from the community. This expansion will help cultivate a culture of honor and respect for all students, reinforcing that leadership and self-respect are values everyone can embody.

The Lasting Impact of Building a Stronger Community

The Distinguished Men of Honor Program is shaping the future by helping students see themselves as leaders and role models. Christopher reflected,

 “I feel a certain responsibility… sometimes my friends don’t do the right thing. I want them to do better and achieve their goals just like my family wants what's best for me.,” said Christopher, reflecting on his role as an 8th grader.

Mr. White emphasizes that leadership is about consistency in everyday actions: attending school, doing the right thing, and being a positive example. As both Amari and Christopher noted, their participation in the program has inspired them to be better versions of themselves, setting the stage for future success.

“He [Mr. White] wants us to do good for us and everybody else,” Christopher said, underscoring the program’s broader goal of fostering responsible, compassionate leaders.

A Legacy of Leadership and Respect

This initiative is helping students embrace their potential, not just as learners but as leaders. Through the guidance of educators like Mr. White and the community's support, the program encourages students to dress with pride, act with integrity, and engage with their peers in meaningful ways. This cycle of positive influence will shape the leaders of tomorrow, reinforcing the values of respect, responsibility, and community that are essential to success in school and life.

“He [Mr. White] has a good impact on us, so we have a good impact on the other kids,” Amari said.

To learn how you can support this initiative, please contact Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School. For information on how you can make an impact across the district, please visit our Mentoring webpage.

Photo captions:

[1] Principal Dr. Sedrick Smith (center of the photo with bowtie) poses with male staff and students dressed in formal wear before the group breaks off to read to Falstaff’s elementary grade classes.

[2] Manager of School Operations and Student Support, David Turner, participated in Fallstaff’s Distinguished Men Of Honor initiative by reading and acting out a book for a first-grade class.

[3] Ishmaiah Calwrie, a paraeducator and boys’ basketball coach fondly referred to as Mr.Ish, leads his team by example by participating in the distinguished Men of Honor initiative and reading to students.

[4] Mr. White poses for a picture in his classroom.

[5] Mr. White poses in the center with Christopher, left, and Amari, right.

Our Progress Reports aim to provide insight into the programs designed to support student achievement. Each report is crafted to celebrate events and practices that uplift our community by focusing on the meaningful effects on our students’ lives. Please click here to read more about our Progress.