Six months ago, Mount Dora High School seniors unearthed a time capsule that had been buried on their campus with relics inside from the class of 1966 and the class of 2000.
Next week, students will bury a new time capsule that will help students 20 years from now understand what life was like in 2020-21 with the election fervor, societal unrest, the COVID-19 pandemic and everything else that has made this an unforgettable time in the history of our nation and local community.
“If anybody wants to contribute, they are welcome to do so,” said Mount Dora High School principal Marlene Straughan. “It can be a letter or a trinket from this year. We are accepting everything.”
Well – everything that will fit inside the steel capsule, which measures 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Students are bringing in items, and the community is welcome to do so as well. Just bring them to the school at 700 N. Highland Street in Mount Dora by Monday, May 24.
When the capsule was opened in Nov. 2020, students found yearbooks, a pager, newspapers from New Year’s Eve 1999 and New Year’s Day 2000, a brick from the original bell tower and a letter from President Bill Clinton. He wrote: “I’m delighted to participate in your time capsule project. As President and a parent, I have many dreams for our children’s future. Young people are the leaders of tomorrow, and we must ensure that they have the knowledge and encouragement they need to succeed.”
The old items will be returned to the time capsule and the new items will be added. The capsule will be sealed Tuesday morning, May 25, and buried 6 feet underground during an 11 a.m. ceremony. A plaque will be ordered and placed at the burial site telling future generations not to disturb the site until 2041.
