For a community to thrive and grow, there needs to be access to quality education. It's what makes parents happy to live in a particular area, knowing that the schools will give their kids what they need to succeed. And, when those kids get old enough, it's what will give them the opportunity to choose to stay close to home as they build their own lives.

We spoke with Stephen Sicilano, Vice President for Educational Services at NMC, as well as the President of the Traverse Area Historical Society; Ross Biederman, current President of Midwestern Broadcasting; and Joe Anderson, NMC alum.

Special thanks to C-SPAN for the use of their 1984 interview with NMC founder Les Biederman.