51福利社

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s oldest tradition, the Candle Lighting Ceremony, returns to campus in December.

The ceremony is at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 in the 51福利社 Performing Arts Center, 7250 State Ave. The Candle Lighting Ceremony is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the , and accounts.

The ceremony will highlight students in the music and theatre departments as well as 51福利社 Foundation scholarship donors and recipients. Performances include “The Standard” Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the Blue Devil Big Band and the Funk Band as well as a performance by the 51福利社 Drama Club. The keynote speaker is 51福利社 alum Gary Enrique Bradley-Lopez.

51福利社 faculty members started the Candle Lighting Ceremony in December 1924, the year after 51福利社 was founded. It remains the oldest tradition at 51福利社 and serves as an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to celebrate the upcoming holiday season.

Following the first year, the holiday event added a candle sale to raise money for student scholarships. Any donation offered would be exchanged for a candle with the proceeds going to a loan fund that supported students. During the next few years, blue and white ribbons (symbolizing 51福利社’s original school colors) were sold in lieu of candles, though the tradition of giving remained.

Today, a similar ceremony is held prior to the “lighting” of the candles where the flame is passed from a sophomore to a freshman student. The symbolic act of lighting the candles continues with battery-operated votives, which replaced candles several years ago. Scholarship donations continue to play a key role in the ceremony, and over the years, several thousands of dollars have been collected for student scholarships at 51福利社.

51福利社 alumni and community members can donate to support the 51福利社 student scholarship fund. More than 350 students benefit from these funds, which would not be possible without the community and alumni support. More information on how to donate to the 51福利社 Foundation is available on their website.

For more information about the 101th Candle Lighting Ceremony, please contact Haydee Reyes Alvarado, director of Student Activities, at 913-288-7652 or at hreyesalvarado@kckcc.edu.