Students from Prescott High School buried a 5-foot time capsule on Feb. 15, which will be opened on Feb. 14, 2062, according to the Arizona Daily Star. The items in the time capsule were from elementary, middle and high school students. Some wrote letters to themselves, planning what they think they will be doing, and some parents included letters to their children.
Courtney Snow, who teaches English at Prescott High School, told the Prescott Daily Courier how impressed she was by how introspective the students’ letters were, the way they described their lives in the present and what they think their future lives would be like.
Students are so focused on classes, grades, sports and other distractions — it’s good that teachers took the time to challenge them to reflect on the present and to plan further in the future than just the next year.
Some UA students and faculty members said they were also intrigued by the idea of a time capsule. When asked what they would add to a UA time capsule, most said items from their daily lives, especially those that helped play a big role in changing their lives.
In a society obsessed with having items bigger, better and snazzier, it’s refreshing that when it comes down to it, people can still appreciate the small things in life.
“I would put in a recipe to my grandmother’s dinner rolls,” said Emma High, an adjunct photography professor. “It’s not just a recipe, it symbolizes the value of home cooked meals and feeding other people.”
While people probably won’t be eating meals in pill form like “The Jetsons,” the traditional home cooked meal is already losing its role in society as more people depend on instant meals and fast food. Maybe the time capsule will encourage her to start slowing down and enjoying something from scratch.
Other people said their addition to the capsule would be something to help people reflect on how far society has come.
“I definitely think that growing up, my old Nokia phone, the one that’s like a brick and is impossible to destroy, played a big role in my life,” said Rachel Edwards, a sociology senior.
No one had a cellphone 50 years ago. Today people take for granted the drastic changes in technology and communication that happened during our generation. Regardless of how people communicate in the future, hopefully thinking of the time capsule insprie her to remember how far technology has progressed.
Overall, it was fascinating to watch the time people took to analyze what was truly significant in their lives. Time capsules challenge people to reflect on what mark they want to make in the world, what’s valuable in today’s society and to start thinking about their future. Critical thinking and self-reflection are important lessons for students in elementary, middle and high schools to learn. Their school district officials should be applauded for implementing this project and UA officials should consider following this example.
— Rebecca Miller is a junior studying photography and journalism. She can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu or on Twitter via @WildcatOpinions .
