Annual candlelighting ceremony raises funds for KCKCC students

Student leaders sang “Silent Night” during the 94th annual candlelighting ceremony Wednesday at Kansas City Kansas Community College. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Students were urged to “stretch” a little and donate funds to scholarships at Kansas City Kansas Community College’s 94th annual candlelighting ceremony on Wednesday.

The annual candlelighting ceremony is considered to be the longest-standing tradition for the college as well as for Wyandotte County, KCKCC President Greg Mosier told students.

The event started in 1924 as a candle sale to raise funds for the college’s student loan fund, and continues today to raise funds for scholarships for KCKCC students, he said.

Dr. Mosier asked those who were gathered at the candlelighting ceremony to think about those who had helped them in their lives, and to help others in the same way.

More than 100 persons attended the event in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center.

Mary Ricketts, a KCKCC Foundation board member who is a speaker and coach in the financial industry, was the keynote speaker at the event.

“It’s all about leaving a legacy,” Ricketts said. She urged those in attendance to “stretch out and reach the next person,” by giving a donation for student scholarships.

Aliyah Shaw, Student Senate president and a second-year student, said this is one of the highlights of the year for the students. At the ceremony, a candle is passed from one of this year’s student leaders to next year’s student leader.

Shaw said the Student Senate and college plan events to help students, and one of the things she has learned as student president was to meet students where they are. Being the student president has “really made me think about who I am as a student, and it helps me to be a leader,” she said.

Shaw announced a $600 donation from students through the Student Senate to the KCKCC scholarship fund.

Other highlights of the event were performances by the KCKCC Instrumental Ensembles, KCKCC’s The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Intercultural Center students, KCKCC Chamber Choir and students in the KCKCC Theater Department.

Donations to the KCKCC Foundation scholarships for students are being accepted at www.kckcc.edu/foundation.

The KCKCC Instrumental Ensembles, under the direction of Jim Mair, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The KCKCC Instrumental Ensemble performed Wednesday at the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Dr. Greg Mosier, KCKCC president, asked those attending the event to think about persons who had helped them in the past, and to reach out and help others today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Listening to musical performances at the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
KCKCC theater students performed a short skit for the annual candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
The Standard Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Stafford II, performed for the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Mary Ricketts, KCKCC Foundation board member, asked those attending the candlelighting ceremony to stretch a little and make a donation to the scholarship fund. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Mary Ricketts, KCKCC Foundation board member, asked those attending the candlelighting ceremony to stretch a little and make a donation to the scholarship fund. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Students with the KCKCC Intercultural Center sang a holiday tune at the candlelighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Students with the KCKCC Intercultural Center sang a holiday tune at the candlelighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Aliyah Shaw, KCKCC Student Senate president, announced a $600 Student Senate donation to the scholarship fund. She posed near the candlelight table at the event. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Aliyah Shaw, right, Student Senate president, announced a $600 donation from the Student Senate to the KCKCC scholarship fund. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Mary Ricketts, right, KCKCC Foundation board member, lit a ceremonial candle on Wednesday at the annual KCKCC candlelighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Itzel Almanza, Student Senate vice president, right, lit the candle for Colby Dunbar, representing the freshman class, at the KCKCC candlelighting ceremony Wednesday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Audience members held battery-powered candles as they sang “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” with the KCKCC Chamber Choir Wednesday at the KCKCC candlelighting ceremony. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)