Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus

The following editorial, one of the most popular editorials of all time, appeared in The New York Sun in 1897.  Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon had begun to doubt there was a Santa Claus.  Her father, Dr. Philip O’Hanlon, suggested she write to the New York Sun, assuring her, “If you see it in The Sun, it's so."

"IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS?

We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

Dear Editor! I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, ''If you see it in The Sun it's so.'' Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon.

115 West Ninety-Fifth Street.

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.

There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal life with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."

Northwest Water Polo Club Hosts Winter Warrior Clinic During Winter Break

The Northwest Water Polo Club (NWPC) will host their Winter Warrior College Clinic on Dec. 27, 28, 29, and 30.  The Winter Warrior Clinic will feature current and former NCAA athletes from USC, LMU, Redlands, Whittier, and Occidental.  Participants will have the chance to learn basic and advanced water polo skills with position specific coaches attending for centers, center defenders, drivers and goalies.  Dec 27 and 28 NWPC will host a Q&A session where parents and athletes can ask questions about recruiting, academic/sports balance, preparation for college, etc. Winter Warrior is a great opportunity for young water polo players to learn new skills from players with NCAA and international experience. The clinic is open to all athletes, regardless of age, skill level and experience. More information can be found online here.

What
College Water Polo Skills Clinic and Scrimmage Games

Where
Dec.  27th and 28th, 10:00am-1:00pm @ MI Beach Club             
(500  326 Avalon Dr Mercer Island, WA 98040)


Dec.  29th and 30th, 9:15-10:45am @ Medgar Evers             
(500 23rd Ave  Seattle, WA 98122)

Cost
Dec. 27th and 28th:  $45/per day
Dec. 29th and 30th:  $25/per day
All 4 days: $125 (includes Winter Warrior T-shirt)
*$25 discount for NWPC winter session participants

Register Here

About Northwest Water Polo Club

Northwest Water Polo Club offers water polo training and tournaments for athletes of all ages and skill levels. NWPC fields a high school boys team (9th grade and older), high school girls team (9th grade and up), 14u coed program (8th grade and younger), 12u/10u program (age 10-12 and Splashball program (age 5-9). Northwest Water Polo Club is open to athletes of all skill levels from Washington and the greater Seattle area.  NWPC will develop participants fundamental water polo skills while preparing players for high school, national, and collegiate level competition.

Northwest Water Polo Club's Mission

Develop a nationally competitive water polo club by developing athletes of all ages and skills in and out of the water, competing at national and local tournaments, and preparing athletes to compete at the collegiate level.

Our Vision

Create a positive environment for athletes and parents where teamwork and a strong work ethic are highly valued. Northwest Water Polo Club's coaches will motivate, develop, and mentor athletes to achieve excellence both individually and collectively in and out of the water. We hope to grow water polo within the Seattle community and develop a self-sustaining club team recognized for knowledgeable coaches and fundamentally sound, respectful, and competitive athletes.

5meter Water Polo Clinic Wraps Up At Auburn

Genai Kerr Brings Water Polo Clinic to Auburn Pool this Weekend

Genai Kerr

USA Water Polo Olympian Genai Kerr is offering a Nike 5meter Water Polo Clinic in Auburn, WA this Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14. Instruction takes place each day at the Auburn School District Swimming Pool.

Designed by the top coaches and athletes in the country, 5meter Nike Water Polo Camps provide in-water instruction to make an immediate impact on an athlete's game. Young athletes will have the opportunity to learn first-hand how Olympic Athletes train, meet their nutritional needs, and balance their lives.

Upon arrival at camp, campers are placed in groups with other players having similar abilities and goals. The camp staff will do their best to accommodate players' needs, keeping in consideration their experience and desire to improve

Highlights Include

• Position Specific Training for Drivers, Shooters, Goalies, 2 Meter Offense & Defense

• High School Boys & Girls: Saturday & Sunday 9am-1pm

• Age Group & Developing Athletes: Saturday 3am-6pm

December 13-14, 2014, 9am-1pm

High School Boys and Girls $100

December 13th, 2014, 3pm-6pm

Age Group and Developing Athletes $50

Designed to focus on the FUNdamentals of water polo.

More information is available at the Camp's web site: http://www.ussportscamps.com/waterpolo/nike/nike-5-meter-seattle-water-polo-camp

Camp Director Genai Kerr

Genai Kerr is a USA Water Polo Olympian, coach, mentor, and true ambassador of the sport.  Genai was a member of the United States Men's National Water Polo Team for 12 years and played in the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2003 & 2007 Pan American Gold Medal games, and multiple World Championships.

Genai remains active in his community and has become a great role model for aspiring water polo players.  He has been a US Ambassador for the USADA (U.S. Antidoping Agency) since 2003 promoting clean sports for young athletes. He was a founding faculty member of the Sage Hill School where he was the Dean of Students, taught art and physical education, and started the aquatic programs.