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CCCC Christmas Tree Lighting brings out community

12.06.2013 • College & Community, College General, Special Events

SANFORD - Great music by Southern Lee High School's Marching Band, a visit by Santa Claus, and lighting of an 18-foot Christmas tree all added to the festivities Dec. 5 as Central Carolina Community College hosted its Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration for the community.

The Marching Band, under music director Alexander Alberti and led by head drum major Lauren Simmonds, escorted Santa onto the college's Lee County Campus plaza, much to the delight of the children of all ages who came to welcome him.

While the band entertained, Santa took his special seat in the college's Welcome Center, which had been transformed with holiday decorations. There, the jolly old elf delighted the little ones and brought smiles to their families' faces by having his picture taken with them. Charlie Cougar, the college mascot, was also on hand, having his picture snapped by many of the visitors.

"This is a really good event, a nice one for family members to come to," said Vilma Diaz, of Sanford. "Dulce, my 8-year-old, is so excited."

On the plaza, children gathered around Julian Philpott, chair of the college's board of trustees, listening eagerly as he read Clement Moore's holiday classic, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Then, the children and their families counted down to the moment when Philpott threw the switch and the Christmas tree, bedecked with blue ribbons, suddenly glowed with myriad tiny white lights.

"We came to see the tree lighting," said Samantha Taylor, of Sanford, accompanied by her family. "This is my granddaughter Journey Taylor's first Christmas."

Her son, Jonathan Taylor, added, "The Christmas Tree Lighting for the community really shows the family orientation of the college."

The crowd filled the college's plaza, enjoying hot chocolate prepared by CCCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Department Chair Chef Gregg Hamm's Cafe 121 and cookies made by student inmates in the college's baking program at the Harnett Correctional Institution.

"I loved this event," said Charlie Gardner, a fifth-grader at Greenwood Elementary. "I liked having my photo taken with Santa and the band music was fun."

The event also included a canned or dry food collection to be donated to Christians United Outreach Center.

The Christmas Tree Lighting was planned and coordinated by the CCCC Foundation and college volunteers, with the Student Government Association providing the tree.

"This is a great way for the college to start the season," said CCCC President Bud Marchant. "This is fast becoming a college tradition."

Those who had pictures taken with Santa can view and download them at the college's website, www.cccc.edu/santapics/.


CCCC Christmas Tree Lighting brings out community

Vilma Diaz (back, right), of Sanford, and her daughters, Susan Gomez (left), a senior at Lee County High School, and Dulce Morales, 8, were among the many who had their pictures taken with Santa Claus by Neil McGowan (right), Central Carolina Community College graphic artist and multimedia specialist, at the college's Christmas Tree Lighting community celebration. During the Dec. 5 event at the college's Lee County Campus, visitors enjoyed music by the Southern Lee High School Marching Band, watched the tree lighting, listened to a reading of ''Twas the Night Before Christmas,' and enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate. Those who had pictures taken with Santa can view and download them at the college's website, www.cccc.edu/santapics/.


CCCC Christmas Tree Lighting brings out community

The Southern Lee High School Marching Band, under music director Alexander Alberti and led by head drum major Lauren Simmonds, entertained visitors at Central Carolina Community College's Dec. 5 Christmas Tree Lighting community celebration. During the event at the college's Lee County Campus, visitors also enjoyed meeting and having their picture taken with Santa Claus, watching the tree lighting, listening to a reading of ''Twas the Night Before Christmas,' and refreshments. Those who had pictures taken with Santa can view and download them at the college's website, www.cccc.edu/santapics/.


CCCC Christmas Tree Lighting brings out community

The Southern Lee High School Marching Band, under music director Alexander Alberti and led by head drum major Lauren Simmonds.


CCCC Christmas Tree Lighting brings out community

The Taylor family, of Sanford, was among those who enjoyed Central Carolina Community College's Dec. 5 Christmas Tree Lighting community celebration. Pictured at the tree are Jace Taylor (front), and (back from left) Grandmother Samantha Taylor, daughter-in-law Ashley Taylor holding Journey Taylor, and son Jonathan Taylor, holding Caspian. During the event at the college's Lee County Campus, visitors enjoyed music by the Southern Lee High School Marching Band, having their picture taken with Santa Claus, watching the tree lighting, listening to a reading of ''Twas the Night Before Christmas,' and refreshments. Those who had pictures taken with Santa can view and download them at the college's website, www.cccc.edu/santapics/.


CCCC Christmas Tree Lighting brings out community

A visitor to the Central Carolina Community College Dec. 5 Christmas Tree Lighting community celebration (right) takes a photo as Julian Philpott (lower left), chairman of the college's board of trustees, makes the connection to turn on the lights. During the event at the college's Lee County Campus, visitors enjoyed music by the Southern Lee High School Marching Band, having their picture taken with Santa Claus, watching the tree lighting, listening to a reading of ''Twas the Night Before Christmas,' and refreshments. Those who had pictures taken with Santa can view and download them at the college's website, www.cccc.edu/santapics/.


CCCC Christmas Tree Lighting brings out community

The Borbonio-Flores family, of Sanford, was among those who enjoyed Central Carolina Community College's Dec. 5 Christmas Tree Lighting community celebration. Pictured at the tree are (back from left) Allison Borbonio Flores with son Nicolas Borbonio, daughter Rosa Borbonio, and daughter Paula Juarez, and (in strollers, from left) son Javier Borbonio and granddaughter Lilyana Juarez. Allison attended and Paula graduated from CCCC. During the event at the college's Lee County Campus, visitors enjoyed music by the Southern Lee High School Marching Band, having their picture taken with Santa Claus, watching the tree lighting, listening to a reading of ''Twas the Night Before Christmas,' and refreshments. Those who had pictures taken with Santa can view and download them at the college's website, www.cccc.edu/santapics/.