As soon as the Thanksgiving holiday is over, Santa Clauses start appearing everywhere; in shopping centers, supermarkets and other places. It takes more than red clothing and a white beard to be a professional Santa. In fact, many aspiring Santas attend special classes. The CW Howard Santa School is in Midland, Michigan. It is the longest continuously running Santa Claus School in the world. This year, it is celebrating its 80th anniversary. VOA recently visited the school. More than 250 Santas have gathered at the school to prepare for their seasonal work. Charlie W. Howard was the Santa Claus in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for 17 years. He started the school in 1937.
