The Bible says we have all been given special gifts and talents. And while some of us spend a good portion of our lives trying to discover just what those are, for one Callaway High School student, his talent is very clear.

Caleb Furrow is a senior at CHS and says he has had a passion for art for as long as he can remember. Caleb and his family relocated to Callaway two years ago, when his dad took the job as superintendent of Callaway Public Schools.

“It seems like we have lived here way longer than that,” Caleb chuckled. “I had a lot of friends at my old school and it was hard to move away from them, but I don’t really regret it all. I’ve made tons of friends and lifelong memories. It’s just great at Callaway - I love it so much!”

While Caleb is far from the only kid who likes to draw, the difference is he is good at it. Really good!

“Ever since I was a little kid I have liked to draw. I just have always love making something out of nothing,” he shared.

As he got older and began making his way through school, Caleb had the opportunity to learn more about art and work on polishing his skills.

“I have had multiple art teachers in my life, and they have all taught me a little bit in becoming the artist I am today. Also, art shows like MNAC and the state fair have helped too. I have always tried to enter as many of those things as I can,” Caleb explained.

In his sophomore year of high school at Sandhills, Caleb earned Best of Show at the MNAC Art Show. He has also received first-team all-conference art honors each year of his high school career.

“I really like to draw people with a lot of facial expressions and emotion,” Caleb shared. “I like to find those little details in people’s faces to make you feel those emotions too.”

Caleb said that as his art has improved, he has learned to draw more from his imagination than reality. “I do oftentimes use a reference though, either a photo I find or have taken,” he added.

Caleb was recently notified that he had been accepted into the Hastings College inaugural Emerging Visions juried art exhibition. “That was a great opportunity for me to meet all of the professors and faculty of the art department at Hastings College,” said Caleb.

His was one of 50 pieces selected for the exhibit. That recognition also opened the door for him to participate in an interview process with the board of the school’s art department. Caleb recently learned that he was chosen to receive the prestigious Jackson Scholars award.

According to the Hastings College website, “The Jackson Scholars Program scholarship is an all-expenses-paid opportunity, as the scholarship covers 100 percent of tuition, general fees, room and meals for four years, and also provides professional enrichment opportunities. Four talented high school seniors were selected as part of the inaugural fall 2025 class, while eight students were selected for fall 2026.”

Caleb is one of those eight. “I was so nervous before I found out; the news of getting that was just insane. I was so happy! My mom was crying,” he shared.

Though he is not yet 100 percent certain what career path he wants to take at this point, Caleb plans to get a degree in studio arts and pursue a career in freelance art. He said he believes his scholarship will also give him the opportunity to study abroad, something he said he would love to do.

Caleb currently serves as the teacher’s aide for CHS art teacher Suzi Campbell, whom he described as “probably my favorite art teacher I have ever had”.

Along with art, Caleb also participates in football, basketball, track, One Act, FCCLA, and art club. He has served as class officer and as a member of the National Honor Society in his high school career as well, and is actively involved in youth group and the Wednesday morning prayer breakfast.

Caleb is the son of JD and Christi Furrow and is the youngest of five boys.