by Kelly Rogge
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s oldest tradition is returning this week, honoring the holiday season while raising funds for scholarships at the same time.
The 93rd-Annual Candlelighting Ceremony is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center on the main campus, 7250 State Ave. Classes will not be held during the lighting, so that all personnel and students, who wish to, can participate in the program. However, the Jewell Center, KCKCC Library and all offices will be open during those hours to serve individuals who choose not to participate in the ceremony. It is free and open to the public.
All classes that are scheduled to begin at noon will start 10 minutes after the program has ended to allow students and faculty to time to get to their classrooms.
KCKCC faculty members started the Candlelighting Ceremony in 1923, the year 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.
Donations are free will, and there will be a “Giving Tree” filled with envelopes that are numbered with an amount for anyone who would like to give. Andrica Wilcoxen, director of Student Activities at KCKCC, said the idea is to allow everyone the opportunity to give in any amount they wish. In addition, the KCKCC Alumni Association will be present for former students to register for membership.
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at KCKCC.