Miracle on 95th Street: The Virginia O'Hanlon Scholarship
Yes, Virginia, your legacy continues.
At a moving event on Friday evening, December 4, honoring the life and legacy of Virginia O’Hanlon, Janet C. Rotter, Head of School, announced the establishment of the Virginia O’Hanlon Scholarship, speaking passionately about The Studio School’s commitment to offering need-based scholarships for students of merit.
A large gathering, including three generations of the O’Hanlon family, attended the ceremony dedicating an historic plaque in Virginia’s name. After all, it was here, in 1897, that 8-year-old Virginia wrote her famous letter to The New York Sun, asking, “ Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?” Her question inspired Editor, Francis Pharcellus Church, to respond with one of the most renowned editorials in American History that contains the oft repeated words affirming, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
Virginia O’Hanlon became a teacher, a principal, and an advocate for the rights of all children, regardless of social background, to have the same educational opportunities. In an eloquent tribute, one of Virginia O’Hanlon’s granddaughters observed that “A full circle has been completed and [my grandmother’s] life’s work continues. Virginia would be so very pleased.”
The New York Times, New York Post and the Examiner have reported on the December 2009 announcement of the Virginia O'Hanlon Scholarship:
For more information about supporting the Virginia O’Hanlon Scholarship Fund, please contact:
Janet C. Rotter, Head of School
212-678-2416
jrotter@studioschoolnyc.org
