Submitted

North Central Missouri College announces that its Centennial Float has been awarded the prestigious “Best of Show” title, also known as the Spirit of Missouri Day Award, at this year’s Missouri Day Parade held on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

North Central Missouri College was represented in the parade with several entries including the Centennial Float, Pirates Golf, Pirates Baseball, Pirates Women’s Basketball, Pirates Men’s Basketball, SMSTA (teacher education students), Alumni Association and Foundation, Pirates Women’s Flag Football, Green Hills Head Start, Ag Club and Barton Farm Campus, Pirates Cross Country and Track, Pirates Dance Wave, and NCMC Centennial flags. Grand Marshalls Diane Lowrey and Dr. John Holcomb are also Trustees of the college.

Organized and sponsored by the Trenton Rotary Club, the annual parade celebrates the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of Trenton Missouri Days. The Spirit of Missouri Day Award honors the most outstanding themed entry, recognizing excellence in creativity, craftsmanship, and community pride.

NCMC’s Centennial Float stood out among a diverse lineup of entries, which included elaborately decorated floats, classic and modern vehicles, and equestrian participants. The float paid tribute to the college’s 100-year legacy, blending historical elements with forward-looking design to reflect both tradition and progress.

Megan Miller, NCMC Assistant Registrar and Parade Coordinator said, “As the parade coordinator, I was very pleased with the institution wide participation as we celebrated with the community our centennial year! There were several student organizations and representatives from our athletic teams, alumni, and foundation offices, use of fleet vehicles, students facing offices, instructors, and physical plant employees. It was great to see how every entry interacted with the crowd. I saw some fun responses to the NCMC swag, and overall, there was excitement in the air! A big thanks to all the departments whose participation made the showing a success. To the student workers whose many hours hot gluing thousands of tissue paper pieces into a chicken wire frame. Your endeavor was worth it. It was beautiful!”

The Missouri Day Parade continues to be a highlight of the fall season in Trenton, drawing spectators and participants from across the region. NCMC’s win adds a memorable milestone to its centennial celebrations, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of education and community engagement in North Central Missouri.