by Nevaeh, age 9 from Topeka, Kansas, asks Santa about the song’s lyrics, the geographic center of the US, and the Brown v. Board of Education case.
Dear Santa, my name is Nevaeh, and I am nine years old. I live in Topeka, Kansas, where my mom says a really important court case that helped change schools across the whole country started right here.
Dear Nevaeh, that kind of important history deserves a very respectful flyover, your mom is teaching you something truly meaningful.
Santa, I have three questions.
What are the words to ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’? My grandpa hums it but never remembers all the words.
Those words belong to the songwriters who wrote them, Nevaeh, so I will leave the exact lyrics to your grandpa’s memory, humming and all. What I can say is that a cheerful song like that always sounds wonderful, mixed up words included.
My mom says the exact geographic center of the whole United States is really close to Kansas. Is that true?
It is true, Nevaeh, the geographic center of the contiguous United States sits not far from Kansas, right in the heart of the country. I always enjoy that centered, easy-to-find landmark on my route.
My mom says an important court case about fairness in schools, called Brown versus Board of Education, started right here in Topeka. Is that true?
It is true, Nevaeh, that landmark case began right in Topeka and led to a Supreme Court decision that helped make schools fairer for children everywhere. That kind of standing up for fairness is exactly the spirit I hope every child carries with them.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Nevaeh Franklin
Topeka, Kansas
P.S. Will you hum along with my grandpa’s version this year?
I will do my best, Nevaeh, though my humming is better appreciated at a respectful distance.
