Melissa Karnaze v_116 3rd Place Award Virginia, as you know, every Christmas children all across the globe make their wish lists for Santa Clause. Come Christmas Day, some children get exactly what they asked for, and some children do not. What you may not know is that there are even more children who don't get anything for Christmas -- not because they were bad all year long, but because Santa doesn't visit them. If you can, try to imagine children your age living in a less fortunate country, where they can barely get enough food to eat. These children live in poverty each day, and no matter how much they want shelter, food, water, or a family, the Santa who visits you does not visit them. The Santa you know is not how television shows, books, songs, and movies describe him -- he is not a round, jolly fellow with a long white beard and a reindeer sleigh. Santa is just a name for something else. Like how Virginia is your name, but it does not describe what you like, how you behave, or what you don't like. Virginia is only a word to describe one part of who you are. When you receive a gift under the Christmas tree, it came from your family or someone who cares about you. If you don't believe me, just ask your father on Christmas Day if he was responsible for your gifts that are supposed to be from Santa. If he says no, continue to ask him year after year, and eventually you will discover the truth. Now this does not mean that Santa the way you've imagined him all along is wrong -- there is nothing wrong with telling stories about a man who spreads holiday joy and wonder. But being dishonest is wrong -- for instance, if your father tells you that Santa brought you your toys instead of him. It is possible for people or things we cannot see with our physical eyes to exist. You see, we have certain limitations on what we can experience as a taste, touch, smell, sound, or sight. For example, some animals like sea gulls can see certain colors that we cannot see -- not because they are better than us, but because they have a visual system that enables them to perceive a range of light waves unlike our range. So it is possible that Santa Clause exists and we just cannot see him, but even if he is as real as you and I, I am quite certain he is not the person bringing you gifts. Keep asking your father the same question, and he will soon enough admit to having deceived you. And when you realize how over the years the people whom you trusted encouraged a false sense of faith, remember that they too were treated the same way when they were your age. The difference between you and them is that you have the choice to be honest with your loved ones, and maybe one day, your children.