Monte Flowers, Memphis Catholic Class of 2008

Senior Portrait

I met this young man last year when he started donating to Memphis Catholic and the Jubilee Schools. I thought it was so cool that this young alum was already giving back to his alma mater to help others receive the same opportunity he received. Even though I had spoken with him several times, I really didn't know much about him besides being a fantastic young man, a graduate of Memphis Catholic, and somehow associated with the Wharton Family.

I like to learn about people, who they are and what makes them tick. I wanted to learn more about Monte Flowers. So, he agreed to be the subject of this blog.

Monte was born in Memphis on July 4, 1989 to Cheryl Flowers and Wilbur Walton. He grew up in a very Catholic family as a member of St. Augustine Parish going to church every Sunday. His grandfather, Walter Flowers, Jr. made sure of it. Monte said that his grandfather was the rock of the family and instrumental in making sure the family attended church. Monte was baptized and received first communion at St. Augustine, and was confirmed at Immaculate Conception.

Life changed for Monte when he joined Boy Scout Troop 143 at St. Augustine. That's when he met Scout Master Ruby Wharton. From that time on, Monte became part of the Wharton Family. From age eleven to thirteen, he spent the summers with the Whartons. Monte believes scouting was essential to his development. He learned to respect himself and his community through this organization. He also developed a special fondness for the Boy Scouts of America as a result.

Starting in 8th grade, he became a member of the Wharton household. AC (former mayor of Memphis) and Ruby Wharton (principal of The Wharton Law Firm) became Monte's parents. They made sure he attended Memphis Catholic, and held the same expectations for Monte as they did Alex, Andre, and AC III; their own biological children.

Ruby Wharton was there to make sure Monte succeeded academically and spiritually. Monte said that the Whartons encouraged him to participate in school and church, and that they were very hands on. His relationship with the Whartons strengthened his faith and desire to participate in activities such as being a member of the parish council at St. Augustine. His sense of duty has been strengthened through the example of the Whartons.

Law School Graduate

Monte graduated from Memphis Catholic in 2008 and was the class salutatorian. He went on to graduate from Hampton University, one of the top historically black universities in the world.  He earned a B.A. in History, a minor in Leadership Studies, and was ranked 10th in his graduating class. He graduated in 2012 and was accepted to the University of Tennessee School of Law in Knoxville. He graduated from law school in 2015. Upon graduation, he was employed through the US Federal Honors Program working with the EEOC. Since May of this year, he has been working at The Wharton Law Firm.

Starting in the 8th grade, Monte attended Memphis Catholic. His first day at Memphis Catholic was during the summer practicing for the upcoming football season. He was nervous about attending a new school and didn't think he would fit in or succeed. The first person he met that day was Devin Walker, another incoming 8th grader. Devin introduced himself to Monte and they have been good friends ever since. Funny how things work out.

Class of 2008

While at Memphis Catholic, Monte was very active participating in football, track, baseball, basketball, Knowledge Bowl, drama club, campus ministry, student government, and a member of the National Honor Society.

"A Life for Others" was his philosophy in high school. As president of Catholic Campus Ministry, he helped to raise funds for disaster relief victims and for annual food drives.

Education That Works program started at Memphis Catholic when Monte was entering his junior year. His first internship was at FedEx Express working in the human resources department. He enjoyed FedEx so much that he asked to return to FedEx Express for his senior year where he interned in the FedEx Express IT department.

Dani Ray Barton, former staff member at Memphis Catholic, had this to say about Monte. "With Monte, from the first time I met him, he had clear and definite plans for his future. With many teenagers, that changes weekly. Not with Monte. He always knew and maintained that target and as we know now, has achieved those goals and more. I also remember the hilarious phone calls we would get from Mrs. Wharton and the mayor because Monte would always manage to forget about some after school activity or event he needed to tell them he was attending."

Deacon Ted Schreck, Director of Education That Works, said this about Monte: "He lolly gagged around the school on his very first day of internship and missed the bus to go to FedEx Express. He was sent home to Mrs. Wharton with a make up day. Beside that event, I was so impressed by his passion for law, for family, for his faith. He would serve on the altar for Mass and carried himself so professionally and with genuine love and passion."

Dawn Rose, English Teacher at Memphis Catholic, said, "He was always polite, helpful, and had a smile on his face. He made friends easily and was always there to help out where needed. He liked a good joke or prank as well."

Monte Flowers is a proud graduate of Memphis Catholic. He is a fantastic young person and models the way we should all be academically, spiritually, and as a member of the community. Everything he has become he attributes to his faith and the Whartons. He said that he could never repay the Wharton Family for what they have done for him. They are his godparents, mentors, and supporters.

Future Lawyer

It is because of the Wharton Family that Monte works so hard to become well educated and to become a lawyer. He sees law and education as mighty tools for helping individuals and groups escape poverty and misery. He wants more for other generations than he initially received himself.

Monte is on a mission to make Memphis a better place for those most in need. Thanks to the Wharton Family, his own hard work, St. Augustine Parish, and Memphis Catholic, Monte Flowers has the ability to be the change he wants to see.

Fun fact about the Flowers Family:
Monte's mother, Cheryl Flowers, is a Memphis Catholic graduate from the Class of '72. His three uncles; Walter, Jr., Ronald, and Paul Flowers are graduates of Fr. Bertrand.

Thank you Monte Flowers for taking the time to share your story.

God bless you,
Didier Aur