RCC’s Annual Tree Lighting brings nearly a thousand together for a night of music, magic, and community
Randolph Community College kicked off the holiday season in true RCC style on Tuesday, Dec. 2, as families, students, employees, and community partners gathered on the Asheboro Campus for the College’s annual Tree Lighting — an evening packed with performances, activities, and plenty of holiday cheer.
“Every year, this event grows — not just in size, but in heart,” said RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, who began the event with a warm welcome and ended it with holiday greetings. “RCC is this community’s college, and nights like this remind us why we lead with Access, Connection, Experience, and Success. When we open our campus to families, celebrate our students’ talents, and welcome our partners and neighbors, we are doing more than lighting a tree — we are lighting the path toward a stronger, brighter Randolph County. This is RCC 2.0 in action.”
The crowd watches as the tree is lit.
Reynolds Lisk, Chair of the RCC Board of Trustees, shared a warm welcome on behalf of the Board.
“The Tree Lighting Ceremony is one of the most joyful moments of the year, and it reminds us why Randolph Community College is such an important part of this county,” he said. “We are proud to support a college that opens its doors to families, lifts up our students, and brings the community together. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for celebrating with us and for being part of the RCC family.”
This year’s celebration lit up the Plaza with the official tree lighting, accompanied by a live remote from WZOO and outdoor games that kept the crowd buzzing from the moment they arrived. The R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center Auditorium hosted energetic, interactive performances by RhinoLeap, while the library stayed bustling with storytime sessions and a steady line of excited children waiting for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Performances continued throughout the evening with Uwharrie Ridge Middle School and Asheboro High School choruses filling the Armadillo Café with music and holiday spirit. Families also enjoyed the free hot chocolate and cookie station in the Student Lounge, ornament decorating and coloring activities, tinsel hair, the Armadillo mascot meet-and-greet, and a Mobile Classroom Candy Cane Tour along Horseshoe Drive.
Outside the auditorium, guests cast votes for their favorite entry in a Gingerbread House Contest before WZOO announced the winner — a confection construction entitled “Armadillo Snowball Fight” created by the RCC Campus Store team.
RCC extends a heartfelt thank-you to its Cultural/Social Committee for steering the event planning; to Randolph Electric Membership Corporation (REMC) CEO and RCC Board member Dennis Mabe and the REMC crew for lighting the tree; and to our community partners, volunteers, performers, and guests who helped make this year’s Tree Lighting truly shine.
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About Randolph Community College: Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in person and online. To register, visit randolph.edu/register or call 336-633-0200 and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.