How Do You Become Santa Claus? Santa School, Of Course! | National Geographic

The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School was established in 1937. Since 1987, under the direction of Tom and Holly Valent, the school became a non-profit organization. It is the longest continuously running Santa Claus School in the world. Tom Valent is the Dean of the internationally recognized Santa School.

Tom and his wife Holly (yes, that's her real name!) have been involved in the CWH Santa Claus School since 1976. In 1986, Tom had the honor of designing the amazing Midland Santa House. He makes all of the animation and hand carves displays in the Santa House. Tom is a civil engineer and is currently president and CEO of Gerace Construction Company. Tom is a toy maker, a woodcarver, and a builder; which comes in handy at the North Pole workshop. Tom and Holly have reindeer as pets in their backyard.

​In 1995, Tom and Holly conducted the first World Santa School in Illulisatt, Greenland. The participating countries included: Germany, Ireland, England, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Spain, Australia, Greenland, South Africa, Switzerland, as well as the United States.

This Santa School has been taught in Australia, Greenland, and England. Tom and Holly have participated in the weeklong St. Nicholas festivities in Zurich, Switzerland, Oslo, Norway and Stockholm Sweden. Together, they have continued to spread Christmas cheer around the world!

http://www.santaclausschool.com/contact.html

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