This year, it is celebrating its 80th anniversary. MIDLAND, MICHIGAN (Reuters) - Randy Schneider has considered himself a professional Santa since 1999 when he found himself at a JCPenney store buying a beard . So far, the school has trained thousands of Santas from across the world. RIGHT: Jeffrey Ouellette, of Westland, shows off his Santa Claus tattoo while outside of the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School will celebrate . 306 Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404. After the tenure of Nate Doan as Dean of the School, Valent took the reins in 1987. For the authentic north pole express experience, head to Coopersville and board the train from the steam era for one of the most popular Christmas train rides in MI. He will hand out presents to the children (provided by the Host). In addition to looking like Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus, the students learn how to dance, sing, and use sign language for holiday greetings. Comments. We have even sent our Santa's to the White House! Each year, hundreds of students descend on Midland, MI, to attend the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School to learn the art and heart of being Santa. The name Santa Claus is based on the Dutch Sinterklaas. LEFT: Michael Howe, also known as Santa Michael, from Reed City, Michigan, right, and Michael Beurer, of Dearborn, teach a session on technology and how Santa Claus can use technology during the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Sept. 29, 2022. BOTTOM: Jeffrey Ouellette, of Westland, center, works with his fellow Santas in the workshop, learning how to make toys during the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Oct. 1, 2022. LEFT: Melissa Rickard, of Little Rock, Arkansas, fluffs out her hair as she gets ready to meet with fellow students as they share ideas and information after one of their long days of classes at the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Sept. 30, 2022. An entire home filled with over 3,000 pieces of Santa memorabilia in glass cases, walls, on Christmas trees, and even in the bathroom. Charles W. Howard Santa School. News. This is where students share trade secrets and get tips on everything from which product to use on their beards to where to find the most realistic and comfortable boots. This year's . TOP: Michael Howe, also known as Santa Michael, from Reed City, Michigan, right, and Michael Beurer, of Dearborn, teach a session on technology and how Santa Claus can use technology during the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Sept. 29, 2022. From the Santa House in Midland, Michigan, to many different nations of the world, Valent conducts the Santa Claus School. Oct. 20, 2014. Nate Doan would play as Santa, and his wife, Mary Ida, would play Mrs. Claus. Santa School draws 100+ to Midland. Its truly magical.. If you want to learn the ways of St. Nick, this is the place for you. Saint Nicholas is the Saint Patron of New York City. Its an emotional thing for them, and for us, and that is why we do what we do., The founder of the school, Charles W. Howard, said: He errs who thinks Santa enters through the chimney. RIGHT: Bruce Noble, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, takes the rest of his Santa suit after he was measured for alterations to his jacket. My Specialties: Listening and talking with the children(the most important!) True. He is also a member of M.A.P.S. People come up to you and they immediately become 6 or 7 years old, and they feel the magic and excitement," he said. They also learn from each other on how to deal with the serious questions they will inevitably encounter from the children as well. Nonprofits worked with: Book Industry Charitable Foundation . School is in session for gladiators, dead bodies, and Santas. There's a wait list. But with less than three weeks to go before The Game, things are ramping up - and even the school administrators are. For more information about the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, click here. 5. 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VOA recently visited . MIDDLE TO BOTTOM: The parking lot at the Midland Center for the Arts is full of the signs of Santa Claus and the holiday season as Santa Claus students fill the venue to participate in the annual Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Sept. 29, 2022. Santa Tim is a proud graduate of Charles W. Howard Santa School, International University of Santa Claus, The Santa Conservatory and the Professional Santa Claus School. Ben Belhorn, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, values what he learns in those quiet moments outside of the auditorium. "Santa is a healthy outdoorsman," says Tom Valent, dean of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan. The students were at Gerace Construction Workshop to meet the reindeer, learn how to make toys and learn how to drive a sleigh. Since 1999, we have provided only the best REAL BEARDED SANTAS for many events including Home & Office Parties, Malls & Department stores, Photo Shoots, TV Commercials/Shows & Movie Spots, Military events and more. About Santa Dan Santa Dan is a real bearded story telling Santa Claus with some magic tricks. Referred to as the Harvard of Santa institutions, its been in operation since 1937, making it the oldest Santa school in the United States. Early Bird Registration (Save $60) $615.00 (per person) A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 is due at time of registration. The house is located next to the Midland County Courthouse (301 W Main St, Midland, MI 48640). The Santa House in Midland is the longest-running Santa school in the country. Yes, you read that right. This year, its 85th, marked the return of. Santa J. Ono, an accomplished biomedical researcher and the president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia, has been named the 15th president of the University of Michigan. After their child s funeral, the Griffin Family donated Emily s hearing aids to Children s Hospital of Michigan. This indie movie theater is one of only three surviving Mayan-themed theaters designed by Detroits greatest theater architect.. The Los Angeles Times reports on the school's storied history and why it's considered the "Harvard of Santa schools." In 1934, Charles W. Howard (a former Macys Santa) established a Santa school in direct response to his displeasure with seeing other Santas in frayed suits and cheap beards, and a shockingly inadequate knowledge of reindeer. Its declared by CBS as The Harvard of Santa schools, and you would think that the oldest school dedicated to being his Royal Jolliness would be at the North Pole, or at the very least somewhere near where the Santa Claus myth started, but the Charles W. Howard Santa School is located in an otherwise ordinary town in Michigan. Enrollment is also up this year at the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan, founded in 1937. The CW Howard Santa School is in Midland, Michigan. Santa will walk around the classroom, give each child a candy cane, and wish them a Merry Christmas. Each child can sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. More experienced Santas counsel the newer students on how to field questions from the "How do you deliver all of the presents in one night?" Returning Fencer- Michigan. All rights reserved. Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Classes include studying the history of Saint Nick and Santa Claus, proper dress and make up, Santa sign language, reindeer habits (studied with live reindeer) and Santa flight lessons. At the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan, some two hundred Santas and Mrs. Clauses came from across the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway to learn wood. 2017 St. Nicholas Institute Awards Gala, Wednesday, October 4th, 2017. held at the. LEFT: Reece McNiel, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, flips through his class materials during the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Sept. 30, 2022. Santa Claus School located in Midland, Michigan, the oldest Santa school in the world (since 1937). "Anybody can just throw on a suit, but if you dont have the heart or the spirit, youre just a guy (or girl) in a suit., The curriculum is as diverse as the students and aligns with the mission of the school, which is to uphold the traditions and preserve the history of Santa Claus while providing students with the necessary resources to improve and further define their individual presentations of Santa and Mrs. Claus.. The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan takes the coveted position very seriously and just wrapped up its 75 th (75 th!) Rothbury, MI 49446. After their honeymoon, Nate was busy for a month working as Santa. 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Ghost hunters at Detroits Redford Theatre detect spirits on stage, in hallway, on chair, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. St. Nicholas Institute: Santa School Michigan, Santa Claus Training, Santa Claus School The school hosted nearly 300 Santas representing 40 states and three countries, including one female Santa, attending for the first time. (International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, Great Lakes Santas, South East . Dec. 7, 2012 -- On a chilly winter day in Midland, Mich., Fritz Schmidt walked into a hair salon to get his annual extreme . Additionally he participates in all online training he finds on the art of being Santa Claus. A multi-day seminar designed to empower candidates with the tools needed to convincingly portray both St. Nicholas and the elfin Santa Claus in a wide variety of venues; whether religious or secular. Making spirits bright in the heart of a child through the gift of school supplies, and supporting our educators For generations, Santas have enrolled annually to brush up on their "Ho ho hos . Insider visited the 84th running of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School to find out what it takes to be a professional Santa Claus. One of the sayings, they use is, 'we are better together,' and that is so true," he said. The Santa House, located at the corner of M-20 and Main Street, is a holiday staple in the Midland community. (JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images) The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. She has been portraying Santa Claus for over 20 years now, she says. Aug 2021 - Present1 year 4 months. Now under the direction of Tom and Holly Valent, the school has been successfully preparing Santas for the rigors of the job since 1937. RIGHT: Jeffrey Ouellette, of Westland, center, works with his fellow Santas in the workshop, learning how to make toys during the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Oct. 1, 2022. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Sat, Dec 10, 8:00 AM. Offer subject to change without notice. Santa Dan has work with children for the last 9 years as a Sunday school teacher for 2-year-olds up to first graders. The child doesnt see Santa Mike or Santa Bill, they just see Santa and so because they just see Santa, if I present a good experience with that child, when they see the next Santa they will have a good experience with them because we are consistent in what we do," he said. Santa Shop School Services Woodhaven Offered By: Offices in Wisconsin & Illinois 185 W. Rawson Ave Oak Creek, WI 53154 Phone : (800) 242-5655 Site Links Home School Sign Up Holiday Shop Blog Company Info About Us Our Team Our Guarantee Our Safety Practices Be warned, however, that you should be prepared to write a stunning short essay on why you want to attend, and outlining what a fantastic Santa you would be. I'm a proud graduate of the C.W.H. They can cover obvious topics such as the history of St. Nicholas and the latest must-have children's toys. Visit http://www.michigan.org/city/midland/ to learn more.The Charles W. Howard Santa Clause school is the oldest institution completely dedicated to the art. Valent is also a renowned educator of Santas through the legendary Charles W. Howard Santa School. BOTTOM: Bruce Noble, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, takes the rest of his Santa suit after he was measured for alterations to his jacket. The Charles W. Howard Santa School in Midland, Michigan, is described by one student as the Harvard of Santa Schools. $675.00 (per person . Santa enters through the heart." So said the founder of the Charles W. Howard Santa School in Midland, Michigan. Winner will be selected at random on 12/01/2022. On a Friday afternoon, three buses full of 120 Santas and 37 Mrs. Claus classmates arrived in Frankenmuth, Michigan, to shop at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the world's most famous and largest Christmas store. Search Query Round 3: Santa Quiz Answers - True or False. TOP: Jason Sanderson, of Madison, New Hampshire, is reflected in his Santa and sleigh decal on his car as he leaves for lunch during a break in between sessions at the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland on Sept. 29, 2022. He's attended the oldest school is the country portraying on becoming Santa Claus. "This is known as the Harvard of Santa schools," Sabrina. 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