Manatee County students get a history lesson they’ll never forget.
On Friday, Myakka City Elementary students opened up a time capsule from 1994. That was the year the school’s new building opened.
To make the occasion, students and staff from that time, left behind items to be opened by future students.
Cathy Sullivan’s son was one of them.
“The kids were excited about it,” said Sullivan. “It’s hard to think 20-years in the future. It’s unbelievable.”
Twenty years later, students and staff at the school are celebrating the milestone.
They opened up the time capsule to see what was inside. They found old newspapers, VHS tapes, a T-V Guide, pictures and more.
Pamela Jones’ son, Larry, was chosen to pose in a picture with the time capsule.
He’s now in the United States Air Force and could not make the event. His mother said sit touches her heart to be a part of the ceremony again, 20 years later.
“It seems like just a short amount of time ago,” said Jones. “All the kids are now grown up.”
It was a special occasion that even attracted the school’s former principal, Tom Redmon. He was there when the students sealed the time capsule 20-years ago.
He traveled from his home in Tennessee to take part in the time capsule opening celebration.
“I never believed this many people would show up,” said Redmon. “Just about all the faculty I had was here today.”
To make sure these students never forget this experience, they’re keeping the tradition alive. They created their own time capsule and plan to open it in another 20 years, 2034.
They added flash drives, t-shirts, a dollar bill, hand sanitizer, money, an old school menu, and more.
Items they’re hoping that will give the future generation a glimpse of how they lived.
“I feel that in 20-years I’ll be back and everybody will be happy to see what happened in 2014,” said Destiny Dean, a 5th grader.
Students who left behind the time capsule are now in their late 20’s and early 30’s.
The school plans to make a new plaque for the new time capsule and will open it in 2034.