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.

Hornets 2-0 in League Play After Week 1

photo courtesy Tracy Arnold

The Enumclaw High School Boys Water Polo Team finished their first week of the regular season with a 2-0 record in league play, and a 4-2 overall record.

The Hornets opened their regular season, and league play, on Tuesday, with an 18-5 win over Auburn at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center, and notched their second league win on Thursday against Kentwood, 23-13, in front of a raucous Hornet crowd at the home pool.

Enumclaw went on the road over the weekend, for some non-league competition at the Auburn Water Polo Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The Hornets opened the tournament with an 11-5 win over Lakes in their first game on Friday, then suffered a 21-1 loss against Sammamish later that evening. On Saturday the Hornets started slow against Shorewood, but rallied in the second half, and fought to a narrow 9-7 loss. In Saturday’s second game, Enumclaw battled to a slim 8-7 win over South Kitsap to finish 2-2 in the tournament.

The Hornets return to league play, at the Auburn Pool, on Tuesday, facing league rival Auburn Mountainview at 7:30, and host Kentridge on Thursday at 7:30.

Tuesday, September 12 – Enumclaw 18, Auburn
Scoring for Enumclaw:
Ben Hauswirth – 6
Kyle Morgan – 5
Brandon Stark – 4
Ethan Decker – 2
Jacob Hauswirth – 1

Scoring for Auburn:
Daulton Whitehall-Gilkes -5

 

Thursday, September 14 – Enumclaw 23, Kentwood 13
Scoring for Enumclaw:
Kyle Morgan – 9
Ben Hauswirth – 6
Adam Percival – 4
Ethan Decker – 2
Cody Williams – 2

Scoring for Kentwood:

Jan Grobbelaar – 6
Josh Maloy – 2
Alex Maloy – 2
Dallas George – 1
Mike Shinas -1
Lucas Montry – 1

Friday, September 15 –Enumclaw 11, Lakes 5
Scoring for Enumclaw:
Ben Hauswirth – 5
Kyle Morgan – 2
Ethan Decker – 2
Cody Williams – 1
Tim Arensdorf – 1

Friday, September 15 –Sammamish 21, Enumclaw 1

Scoring for Enumclaw:
Ben Hauswirth – 1

Saturday, September 16 –Shorewood 9, Enumclaw 7
Scoring for Enumclaw:
Kyle Morgan – 3
Ben Hauswirth – 2
Adam Percival – 1                 
Ethan Decker – 1

Saturday, September 16 – Enumclaw 8, South Kitsap 7

Scoring for Enumclaw:
Ben Hauswirth – 5
Kyle Morgan – 2
Ethan Decker - 1

Hornets Open With Two Wins at Jamboree

The Enumclaw High School Boys Water Polo Team opened their 2017 season with two wins and a loss at last weekend's Emerald Ridge Jamboree. The Hornets beat Lakes 14-3 in their opening game, and lost to Gig Harbor 6-9 in the second, before finishing the day with a 14-1 win over Rogers.

This year’s Hornet squad boasts nine returning players, led by senior captains Kyle Morgan and Adam Percival. The remaining seven returning players are all juniors: Tim Arensdorf, Ethan Decker, Ben Hauswirth, Miles Kratzer, Christopher Morgan, Brandon Stark, and Cody Williams.

Joining the veteran Hornets are four first-year players, including sophomore Ethan Blanco, and freshmen Michael Arensdorf, Jacob Hauswirth, and Kellen Murray.

Head coach Bob Averill returns for his ninth season with the boys program, and is joined by assistant Annie Birklid (EHS ’12), coaching her fourth year with the Hornets. Averill has also coached the Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team for 13 years.

2017 Boys Water Polo Calendar

Summer Water Polo at Enumclaw Pool

The Enumclaw Aquatic Center and Enumclaw High School will offer Open Pool water polo workouts from 8:00-9:30. The workouts are open to all middle and high school boys and girls who are interested in learning and practicing water polo skills. No experience necessary. Workouts are supervised by EHS coaches, and led by veteran high school players.

 

For more information, contact coach Bob Averill.

 

 

Hornets Celebrate with Awards Banquet

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team held their 2017 Post-Season Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 1 at the EHS Library.

The Hornets celebrated their seventh place finish at the State Tournament, and their 12th straight year advancing to State. The Hornets claimed the East Division Title for the third consecutive season with an 8-2 league record, and finished the season with a 21-10 overall record.

The Hornets celebrated several individual honors, as well. Six Hornets earned All-League honors. Morgan Hall, Grace Munnell, and Emilie Weyer were named to the first team All-League Team. Grace Rich and Lindsay Harms earned second team honors, and Jordan Lawson received Honorable Mention. Goalkeeper Morgan Hall also received Honorable Mention All-State recognition.

The team voted for several other awards that were recognized at the banquet. Grave Munnell was named Hornet Offensive MVP, and Morgan Hall earned Defensive MVP. Jessica Johnson received the Most Improved Player Award, Lindsay Harms was named Most Inspirational Player, and Jordan Lawson earned the 110% Award. Emilie Weyer earned the 2017 Coaches' Award.

The Hornets 2017 Post-Season Banquet Video is online on YouTube, with the link below.

Thanks for a great season, ladies!

Hornets Finish With A Win, Seventh Place

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team wrapped up their 2017 with a 7-5 win over Wilson in the Hornets' last game at the State Tournament on Saturday, May 27. The Hornets finished seventh in State for the second year in a row.

Enumclaw scored first in Saturday's game, and held a 4-1 lead at halftime, but Wilson outscored the Hornets in the third period, narrowing Enumclaw's lead to 4-3. Hornet senior Jordan Lawson scored with 1:12 in the quarter to give Enumclaw a 5-3 lead entering the final frame.

The already physical game heated up in the final quarter, as the Rams drew four exclusions on Hornet defenders. Wilson scored on Enumclaw's second exclusion to narrow Enumclaw's lead to one goal with 4:39 remaining. Both teams missed on their next two opportunities, and junior captain Grace Munnell added to the Hornet lead with two minutes left.

Wilson scored on their next possession, to put he Rams within one 20 seconds later, and Munnell put the game away on a Hornet power play with 33 seconds left.

Grace Munnell scored five goals in the win, and Grace Rich and Jordan Lawson scored one goal each. Goalkeeper Morgan Hall grabbed 10 saves.

The Hornets finished their season with an 8-2 league record, claiming the East Division title for the third straight year, and a regular season record of 18-6. Enumclaw went 2-2 at the Region I Tournament to earn the 4th seed from the region, and lost their first two games as the State Tournament before beating Wilson for seventh place. Hornet goalkeeper Morgan Hall earned Honorable Mention All-State honors.

The Gig Harbor Tides earned their fourth consecutive State title with a 7-5 win over Curtis in the Championship Game.

Final State Standings:

1. Gig Harbor

2. Curtis

3. Bellevue

4. Newport

5. Mercer Island

6. Puyallup

7. Enumclaw

8. Wilson

Washington State Tournament Lineup Set

Eight teams, including Enumclaw, have qualified for this weekend's Girls Water Polo Washington State Championship Tournament. Bellevue, Mercer Island, Newport, Enumclaw, Gig Harbor, Curtis, Puyallup, and Wilson will compete for the 2017 State title at Curtis High School on May 25-27.

Six Hornets Earn All-League Honors

Six members of the Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team earned all league honors at Monday's Water Polo Coaches Meeting. Morgan Hall, Grace Munnell, and Emilie Weyer were named All-League East Division First Team. Lindsay Harms and Grace Rich earned Second Team honors, and Jordan Lawson received Honorable Mention.

Listed below are the All-League teams for the four Washington State divisions. Congratulations to all.

Post-Season Action Starts Friday

photo courtesy Timothy Dehnert Photography

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team, along with 15 other Washington State girls water polo teams, start post-season play on Friday, May 19.

Bellevue, Mercer Island, Newport, and Inglemoor have advanced from the North Division; Enumclaw, Auburn Mountainview, Auburn, and Kentridge advance from the East.

In the South Division, Curtis, Puyallup, Rogers, and Stadium advance to the post-season, and Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Wilson, and Peninsula have advanced from the West.

The Hornets are advancing to post-season play for the twelfth consecutive season, and claimed their third straight East Division title.

Enumclaw enters the Region I Tournament as the East's number one seed, and will face the North Division's fourth seed, Inglemoor, on Friday, at 6:45, at Puyallup's Rogers High School. The Region II Tournament starts on Friday, as well, and pits the top four teams from the South and West Divisions against each other. The top four teams from each Regional Tournament will advance to the State Championship Tournament, held May 25-27 at Curtis High School, in University Place.

The Hornets have one more regular season game left - a non-league contest against Tahoma on Tuesday, May 16 at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center. Come cheer on the Hornets as they celebrate their three seniors' in their last home game.

Follow this site and our Twitter feed, @EnumclawPolo for post-season results, and updated schedules.

Best of luck to all the teams competing.

Hornets Clinch East Division Title

With two league wins this week - a 5-4 win over Auburn on Tuesday, and a 9-4 win over Auburn Mountainview on Thursday - the Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team clinched their third consecutive East Division Title.

Tuesday's game vs, Auburn was a defensive nailbiter, with both teams scoreless in the first period, and trading goals in the second and third, to enter the final period with a 2-2 tie.

Auburn took the lead with 2:45 left, on a Maddy Arnone goal, and Grace Rich scored for the Hornets for a 3-3 tie with 1:18 remaining. Emilie Weyer's goal gave the Hornets the lead with 43 seconds remaining, but Elizabeth Zaytseva tied it up again with 18 seconds left. After the Hornets' final timeout, Weyer scored again with 11 seconds left, for a 5-4 Hornet advantage, and Enumclaw stopped the Trojans on their last possession to seal the victory.

Thursday's game vs. Auburn Mountainview started much the same, with the teams trading goals through the first period, and a 3-3 tie after seven minutes of play. But the Hornets caught fire in the second quarter, scoring four and holding the Lions scoreless, for a 7-3 halftime lead.

Both teams went scoreless in the third, and Enumclaw outscored Auburn Mountainview 2-1 in the final quarter for the 9-4 final score.

The Hornets are now 8-1 in league play, and 13-4 overall. Enumclaw travels to Auburn for a four-game tournament on Friday and Saturday, and travel to Renton’s  Lindbergh High School on Tuesday for their final league game of the season against Kentridge.

Hornets Return from Break, Beat Tahoma

photo courtesy Doug & Mel Hall

Enumclaw High School's Girls Water Polo Team returned from their Spring Break to beat the Tahoma Bears 12-1 on Wednesday, April 26, after a 13 day break from competition.

It took the Hornets a few possessions to regain their rhythm in the game, but after Lindsay Harms scored three minutes into the game, Enumclaw scored six goals in the opening quarter, with Harms and Grace Munnell each scoring three.

The Hornets held Tahoma scoreless through the first half, but the Bears' Aureliana Weinstein scored midway through the third quarter to break up the Hornet shutout.

Four Hornets scored in the win, with Munnell and Harms scoring four each. Grace Rich scored three from center, and senior captain Emilie Weyer scored a goal from point. The Hornets finished with 15 steals, led by Munnell's eight; junior goalkeeper Morgan Hall grabbed nine saves.

The Hornets host the defending State Champion Gig Harbor Tides on Saturday, and return to league play next week, at Auburn on Tuesday, and hosting Auburn Mountainview Thursday. The three teams - Enumclaw, Auburn, and Auburn Mountainview - are currently tied for the East Division lead with identical 6-1 league records.

Hornets Enter Third Week with 6 Wins, 2 Losses

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team entered their second week of competition with a 2-0 record, played six games in four days, and finished the week with a 6-2 record, 3-1 in league play.

The Hornets suffered their first loss of the young season on Tuesday, when the Auburn Trojans came to Enumclaw to hand the Hornets a 9-4 loss.

On Thursday, the Hornets traveled to Auburn and claimed an 11-4 win over Auburn Mountainview, to improve their league record to 3-1.

Enumclaw played four games in the two-day Emerald Ridge Tournament on Friday and Saturday, at Rogers High School. The Hornets won both of Friday's games, beating Stadium 10-3, and Wilson 8-1.

The Hornets split on Saturday, beating Auburn 2-1 in a fierce defensive battle, before losing to a deep Puyallup team 7-3 to finish the week.

The Hornets return to league play this week, with a home game on Tuesday, against Kentridge, and Thursday against Auburn Riverside. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:30.

Emerald Ridge Tournament This Weekend

Ten teams will wrap up their second week of the girls water polo season this week at the annual Emerald Ridge Tournament, at Rogers High School in Puyallup.

Auburn, Auburn Mountainview, Emerald Ridge, Inglemoor, Puyallup, Rogers, South Kitsap, Stadium, and Wilson will join the Hornets in non-league play at the two-day tournament. All teams will play two games each day.

Enumclaw will play Stadium at 6:10, and Wilson at 8:50 on Friday, and return on Saturday to face Auburn at noon, and Puyallup at 3:45.

Best of Luck to all teams participating.

Girls Water Polo Season Enters Week Two

Girls High School Water Polo enters their second week of regular season play this week. Monday through Thursday is full of league contests, and the weekend's Emerald Ridge Tournament gives teams a chance to face competition from other divisions.

 

Listed below are the week's games, as scheduled on the officials' scheduling site. Times and locations are subject to change, so please confirm games before heading to the pool.

 

Monday, March 20

6:00 Emerald Ridge at Stadium
7:00 Rogers at Lakes
7:30 Curtis at Puyallup
8:15 Tahoma at Inglemoor (Aqua Club)

Tuesday, March 21
3:30 South Kitsap at Gig Harbor
5:00 Bainbridge Island at Foss
6:00 Lincoln at Wilson
7:30 Kentridge at Auburn Riverside (Auburn)
7:30 Auburn at Enumclaw

Wednesday, March 22
3:10 Stadium at Rogers
3:30 Lincoln at Peninsula
4:00 Mercer Island at Bainbridge Island
4:15 Roosevelt at Newport (Edgebrook)
5:30 Puyallup at Emerald Ridge (Rogers)
8:15 Bellevue at Inglemoor (Aqua Club)

Thursday, March 23
4:00 Wilson at Bainbridge Island
4:30 Gig Harbor at Lincoln
4:30 Foss at Peninsula
5:30 Enumclaw at Auburn Mountainview (Auburn)
7:20 Lakes at Curtis
7:30 Auburn Riverside at Auburn

Friday, March 24
8:30 Shorewood at Roosevelt (Helene Madison)
Emerald Ridge Tournament
Rogers High School
12801 86th Ave E, Puyallup
3:30 Puyallup vs Auburn
4:10 Emerald Ridge vs Rogers
4:50 Auburn vs Wilson
5:30 Inglemoor vs South Kitsap
6:10 Enumclaw vs Stadium
6:50 Auburn Mountainview vs Emerald Ridge
7:30 Rogers vs Inglemoor
8:10 Stadium vs Puyallup
8:50 Wilson vs Enumclaw
9:30 South Kitsap vs Auburn Mountainview

Saturday, March 25
Emerald Ridge Tournament
Rogers High School
12801 86th Ave E, Puyallup
12:00 Auburn vs Enumclaw
12:45 Puyallup vs Wilson
1:30 Stadium vs Auburn
2:15 Rogers vs South Kitsap
3:00 Emerald Ridge vs Inglemoor
3:45 Enumclaw vs Puyallup
4:30 Auburn Mountainview vs Rogers
5:15 Stadium vs Wilson
6:00 South Kitsap vs Emerald Ridge
6:45 Auburn Mountainview vs Inglemoor

Hornets Finish First Week With Two Wins

photo by Nathalie Weyer

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team finished their first week of league play with something to smile about: two convincing wins over their first two opponents.

The Hornets opened their season on Tuesday against Auburn Riverside, at the Auburn Pool. Enumclaw's defense held the Ravens scoreless in the first half, and charged to an 8-0 halftime lead before finishing with a 12-1 win. Lindsay Harms scored five, and Grace Munnell scored four to lead the Hornets; Caitlyn Schuler added two, and Emilie Weyer one. Grace Dorn scored Auburn Riverside's lone goal.

On Thursday the Hornets held their first home game, hosting Tahoma, and beating the Polo bears 14-2. Harms led the Hornets' scoring again, scoring six. Weyer scored four, Munnell added two, and Schuler and freshman Hannah Baxter cored one goal each. Melody Graham scored both of Tahoma's goals.

The Hornets continue with league play this week, hosting Auburn on Tuesday, and traveling to Auburn on Thursday to face Auburn Mountainview. They'll finish the week with two games on Friday, and two on Saturday, at the Emerald Ridge Tournament at Rogers High School in Puyallup.

Hornets Open Season with 2 Wins at Jamboree



photo by Doug Hall

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team opened their 2017 season with two wins and a loss at the Curtis Jamboree on Saturday, March 11.

In the Hornets' first game of the new campaign, Enumclaw beat Mercer Island 6-1. Four Hornets scored in the win, with senior captain Emilie Weyer and sophomore Tessa Valison each scoring two; junior captain Grace Munnell and junior Lindsay Harms scored one each. Junior captain Morgan Hall grabbed six saves in the goal.

The Hornets dropped their second game, against an experienced Bellevue team 8-1, Weyer scored the lone Hornet goal, and Hall earned four saves in the loss.

Enumclaw finished the day with a 6-2 win over Bainbridge Island. Munnell scored three in the game's first four minutes to give the Hornets an early 3-0 lead. Harms scored two, and junior newcomer Jessica Johnson scored her first career goal. Goalkeeper Hall saved five.

The Hornets have 13 players on this years' squad, led by captains Emile Weyer, Grace Munnell, and Morgan Hall. Also returning from last years' East Division championship team are seniors Caitlyn Schuler and Jordan Lawson, juniors Lindsay Harms, Grace Rich, and Bryonna Harris, and sophomores Tessa Valison and Kenzie Invie-Johnson. Joining the squad this year are junior Jessica Johnson and freshmen Hannah Baxter and Katie Norton.

Enumclaw opens regular season play this week, traveling to Auburn on Tuesday to face Auburn Riverside, and hosting Tahoma on Thursday at 7:30. Both are league games.

Olympian Genai Kerr Offers Two Clinics

USA Water Polo Olympian Genai Kerr is offering two Nike 5meter Water Polo Spring Clinics this weekend, at Lakes High School. on Saturday, March 4, and Auburn High School on Sunday, March 5.

5meter Water Polo Camps and Clinics provide the highest level of individualized coaching for aspiring water polo athletes, whether you are learning the rules of water polo and how to eggbeater or preparing for college level competition.

Both camps are intended for boys and girls, ages 10-18, take place from 9:00-4:00 and cost $125. For more information:

Lakes High School, Saturday, March 4
http://www.ussportscamps.com/waterpolo/nike/nike-5-meter-tacoma-washington-water-polo-camp/

Auburn High School, Sunday, March 5
http://www.ussportscamps.com/waterpolo/nike/nike-5-meter-seattle-water-polo-camp/

2017 Enumclaw HS Girls Water Polo Calendar