by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
Plans are underway for Kansas City Kansas Community College’s oldest tradition – the 95th annual Candle Lighting Ceremony.
The 95th Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center on the main campus, 7250 State Ave.
The ceremony will highlight students in the KCKCC Music Department and Theatre Department as well as KCKCC Foundation Scholarship Donors and Recipients.
Among the groups performing will be the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Funk Band and The Standard Jazz Choir as well as the Intercultural Holiday Showcase presented by the KCKCC Intercultural Center.
The Candle Lighting Ceremony is free and open to the public.
Faculty have been asked to consider excusing students, so that they may attend the Candle Lighting Ceremony, as long as it can be done with minimal disruption to classroom instruction, according to a spokesman. In addition, faculty have been asked to make allowances for students who may come to noon classes late as a result of attending the ceremony. Students will need to present a program as evidence of their attendance.
“This year will mark the 95th anniversary for the KCKCC Candle Lighting program,” said Andrica Wilcoxen, director of student activities at KCKCC. “This is the longest tradition in the city, and the event showcases the many talents from the past to present of our KCKCC alums and students. This event helps our community, staff, faculty and students to directly see the talent and why it is so important to give towards scholarships. Many students are affected in a positive way because of the monies given to help them develop their talents and education to the next level. We are so grateful for our current and future donors.”
KCKCC faculty members started the Candle Lighting Ceremony in December 1924, the year after KCKCC was founded.
It remains the oldest tradition at KCKCC and serves as an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. During that first year, a collection was taken to fund student scholarships.
This tradition has continued and over the years, more than $10,000 has been collected for student scholarships at KCKCC.
The current KCKCC Student Senate will continue this tradition by presenting a scholarship check to the KCKCC Foundation at the ceremony. Their motto is “from the students to the students.”
“It is often said that KCKCC is a ‘hidden jewel’ in our area. Attending the event will show first-hand the talent and the reason of why it is important to become a donor, as well as for current donors to see how their donations are being used,” Wilcoxen said. “We just don’t want to be a ‘hidden jewel.’ We want people to know we are the ‘jewel’ of the Dotte.”
KCKCC alumni and community members will be given the opportunity to give free will donations to support our KCKCC student scholarship fund. There are and have been many students who have benefited from the scholarship fund, which would not be possible without the community and alumni.
For more information about the 95th Candle Lighting Ceremony, contact Andrica Wilcoxen at 913-288-7652 or [email protected].