by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s oldest tradition is returning next week, honoring the holiday season while raising funds for scholarships at the same time.
The 93rd-Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, 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, Contemporary Ensemble and the freshmen and sophomore class representatives.
There will also be a video presentation of KCKCC Foundation Scholarship recipients and an introduction of the Foundation Legacy Project. The Candle Lighting Ceremony is free and open to the public.
“This is the oldest community tradition in Wyandotte County, beginning when KCKCC was known as the ‘Junior College,’” said Deborah Cowick, finance and scholarship coordinator for the KCKCC Foundation. “This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about the KCKCC Foundation and its mission – to provide scholarships to further the educational goals of our students.”
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 original purpose of the Candle Lighting Ceremony (in 1924) was a candle sale for student scholarships,” Cowick said. “Students were grateful for the opportunity to attend the college, so they donated to the scholarship fund. In return, they received a candle to be lit for the closing song “Joy to the World.”
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. 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.
KCKCC alumni and community members will be given the opportunity to give free will donations to support the 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 on the Candle Lighting Ceremony, contact Andrica Wilcoxen at 913-288-7652.