Free time was sparse this summer for Clayton Schowe, as he spent the past three months traveling around the midwest to hone his skills and challenge himself academically.

Entering his junior year at Warrenton High School, Schowe has set lofty goals for himself, both in the classroom and as FFA treasurer.

He began his summer by competing in the public speaking academy hosted by the FFA at the University of Central Missouri. Schowe placed among the top 10 in the intermediate division.

He also spent a week at the Build-A-Business camp as part of the Summers at Mizzou program, scoring a 96 of a possible 100 points to win the competition.

There was also leisure time on the road for Schowe, who attended the Junior Nationals in Tulsa to participate in one of his favorite activities, showing cattle. Currently, he is showing two heifers — one purchased at a ranch in Springfield and another he raised. 

Schowe first began showing cattle at the age of 8 and began competing on the state and national level with his sister, Natalie, in 2012.

In addition, Schowe traveled to Indiana this summer to trace the roots of one of his coaching idols, John Wooden, whom he enjoys reading about. He is also an avid follower of Duke basketball and Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

During the school year, Schowe also competes in basketball and baseball and is a part of the Warrenton Post 122 Legion program in the summer.

He plans on attending a junior college and participating on the livestock judging team, along with possibly joining the baseball team as a walk-on. From that point, he would like to transfer to Oklahoma State or Kansas State and pursue a degree in agricultural business or agricultural economics. He endeavors to be a lawyer in agricultural business, while still maintaining his cattle herd.

Q: How did you first get into showing cattle?

“We had talked with some people from Warrenton who hooked us up with Wies Limousin Ranch in Wellsville. Mike and Heather Henderson, who are the ranch managers really got Natalie and I started in showing more competitively.”

Q: What do you most enjoy about showing cattle?

“Being able to make friends from all over the midwest and even the entire country is what I really enjoy about showing cattle. It makes it special whenever you only see the a couple times a year, you truly build amazing relationships.”

Q: What does agriculture and FFA mean to you personally?

“Agriculture is something that is really important to me and that I've been around ever since I could walk. I plan on keeping it as a primary part of my life. FFA, of which I currently am the chapter treasurer, has and will open many doors and career opportunities for me.”

Q: Tell us about the business program at Mizzou.

“We focused on getting an idea for a business or using one we already had and growing on that idea, ultimately building our business. Mine of course was my sister and I's cattle operation. There I competed in a pitch competition where I gave my idea to a panel of three judges and a room of parents and observers. I was lucky enough to have scored a 96 out of possible 100 points and win the competition. 

Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, who would you pick?

“Picking three people to have dinner with is tough but since our kitchen table can hold eight including myself the seven others I would like are Lane Frost, John Wooden, Peyton Manning, Coach K, my Grandpa Schowe and Grandpa Driskill and Clayton Kershaw.”

Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?

“Both my parents have had a tremendous impact on my life. I always hear stories about my grandpas from my parents but my father’s dad died before I was born, and my mom's dad died when I was just a young kid. I feel they would have had a lasting impact on me. My parents have always pushed me to do my best but never made me do something I didn't want to do. Also my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Current really impacted me as a student as well as a young man.”

Favorite food: “Spaghetti or Steak.”

Favorite Restaurant: “St. Elmo Steakhouse.”

Favorite TV Show: “Nick Cannon’s Wild N' Out.”

Favorite movie: “8 Seconds.”

Favorite Song: “Buy the World.”

Favorite Musician: “Rae Sremmurd or Brantley Gilbert.”