In honor of North Central Missouri College’s centennial, NCMC will spotlight 100 inspiring stories throughout the academic year. These narratives will showcase the voices and journeys of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors, and the communities that have shaped TJC/NCMC’s legacy. Each story is a tribute to the people throughout history who make NCMC extraordinary.
Jaden Varner
Attended: 2021-2023
My experience at NCMC literally changed my life and provided me the opportunity to follow my dreams. I was an introvert small town boy who was shy and unsure of how to achieve my dream. My mom’s advice to me was to arrive to my classes early the first week and observe my environment and make connections. My first day I arrived early to my first class and sat in the hallway waiting for class. A gentleman walked by and noticed me and started a conversation about what my plans were for the upcoming weekend. I shared that I was going home to attend the Bell Game, I had no idea if he knew about the rivalry football game between Marceline and Brookfield. To my surprise he knew all about it and proceeded to tell me that he has covered many sporting events in his lifetime. The man was Rick Cole, that conversation led to the most exciting journey of my life. My dream has always been to become a sports broadcaster. Rick took me under his wing and I became part of Pirates Digital Media crew. At the time, there weren’t any classes/degrees specific to my career choice, but I learned more working with Rick than I could have ever imagined. I quickly went from being part of the video crew, to color commentator, to doing live play by play for piratesdigitalmedia.com of the Pirate’s basketball games. I even was selected Outstanding Student Employee in 2023. The shy introvert from Brookfield, MO turned into a confident sports announcer. I will graduate from Northwest Missouri State University in May 2026. I am the producer for the on campus tv and radio station and have done live coverage of the Bearcat football games. I am excited for my future and will be forever grateful to Rick Cole and NCMC for putting me on the path to my dream career.
The centennial celebration will continue throughout the academic year, and NCMC invites alumni, students, faculty, staff, and our communities to be part of the story. We would love to hear your story about Trenton Junior College/North Central Missouri College. Visit the Centennial Website to submit your own story, memory, or reflection. Whether you walked the halls decades ago or are just beginning your journey, your story is a vital thread in the college’s tapestry, and we want to hear it.
Visit the Centennial Website to explore Trenton Junior College/North Central Missouri College stories, rich history, and discover upcoming events.
Photo: Jaden Varner