KCKCC's Candle Lighting Ceremony

Since 1923, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Candle Lighting Ceremony has celebrated the start of the holiday season. It continues to be one of the college’s most important and long-lasting traditions, one that is thought to be the longest in Wyandotte County.

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 KCKCC’s original school colors) were sold in lieu of candles, though the tradition of giving remained. Scholarship donations continue to play a key role in the ceremony today.

In the early years of the ceremony, a lighted candle symbolized the light of education. A single candle was used from 1923 until it was retired in 1959. It was passed from a graduate, representing the past, to a sophomore representing the present. It was then handed to a freshman representing the future. The idea with this ceremony was that the light of education is eternal. After the flame was handed from the past and present students to the future, those in attendance marched forward to light their candles and donate.

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.

The ceremony has continued to evolve with greater emphasis on showcasing students, largely from the music and theater departments who sing and perform skits throughout the ceremony. A community member or graduate is also invited to serve as the keynote speaker. And just like in the beginning, the ceremony ends with the singing of Christmas carols, most notably “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” which were among the songs sang at the very first candle lighting.