In 1976, the students of Elgin High School put together a bicentennial time capsule. It recently resurfaced, revealing what they deemed important 50 years ago.
The time capsule didn’t contain any IBM stock certificates or iconic 70s trends like mood rings, bell-bottom pants, or “Frampton Comes Alive!” records. However, it did include a Pet Rock, a quirky reminder of the 70s. Gale Miller, who was part of the school’s bicentennial committee, reflected on this saying, “We were so silly back in the ’70s.” She joined Principal Avelira Rodríguez González to reveal the contents of the locked box for the first time since 1976.
Miller and Rodríguez González had anticipated finding humorous items such as packs of cigarettes, though none were allowed. Instead, the capsule contained cherished items like a folder of photos featuring the high school, then-principal Richard Felicetti, students, and a staff member known for singing the daily announcements. During the bicentennial year, students, including Miller, dressed in homemade costumes and traveled in a horse-drawn wagon to teach elementary students about life in 1776.
Rodríguez González found the daily musical announcements amusing and expressed interest in incorporating singing into her own announcements, saying, “I’m going to start singing the announcements. I love that.” Other contents included a copy of The Mirror, a high school newspaper, newspaper clippings on political events, a JCPenney catalog, a yearbook, and the school dress code. The dress code highlighted strict rules of the era, such as hair length restrictions for boys and prohibited clothing items for both genders.
A yellowed letter from 1976 signed by Felicetti provided instructions on how to open the capsule. Miller, who graduated in 1977, rediscovered the time capsule after it had been stored in a bank that later closed. She informed Rodríguez González about it, leading to its opening. Alumni Mari Gathman, although having no memory of the capsule, enjoyed revisiting photos from her student days.
Friday’s unveiling was a walk down memory lane for Miller, who expressed fond memories of her high school days. The class of 1976 plans to celebrate its 50th reunion in August, recalling the past and strengthening connections formed during their school years.