by Cooper, age 8 from Des Moines, Iowa, asks Santa about Rise of the Guardians, Iowa’s corn production, and its early role in elections.
Dear Santa, my name is Cooper, and I am eight years old. I live in Des Moines, Iowa, where my dad says our whole state grows so much corn that fields stretch out further than I can even see.
Dear Cooper, fields stretching that far make for one of the most peaceful, wide open landings on my entire route, your dad picked a truly bountiful hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is Santa in Rise of the Guardians? My cousin says you go by a different name in that one.
I do appear in that film, Cooper, though I am known there as North, a slightly different take on the character you know. Your cousin is right, filmmakers do enjoy putting their own creative spin on things now and then.
My dad says Iowa is one of the top corn producing states in the whole country. Is that true?
It is true, Cooper, Iowa consistently ranks among the leading corn producing states in the entire nation. I always enjoy that neat, golden patchwork of fields flying over on my way to your rooftop.
My dad says Iowa holds an important event every four years where the whole country pays close attention to what happens here. Is that true?
It is true, Cooper, Iowa traditionally holds one of the earliest events in the national election process, drawing attention from across the entire country. That kind of civic responsibility, everyone’s voice mattering, is worth taking seriously.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Cooper Danielson
Des Moines, Iowa
P.S. Do you prefer being called Santa or North?
Either suits me just fine, Cooper, a name changes less than the spirit behind it.
