On May 20 at 10:15 a.m., the Helena High School SGA, administration and study body watched as a time capsule representing the first year in the life of the school was buried in the courtyard of the school.

According to SGA sponsor Mrs. Cissy Johnson, the SGA officers came up with the idea of burying the time capsule as a way to commemorate and remember the inaugural year of HHS.

The courtyard was chosen because students felt it would be a nice place where school leaders could also make certain the time capsule remains secure and protected.  Ms. April Brand contacted the necessary personnel to determine where irrigation lines were located and then some of the custodial staff dug the hole.

The SGA worked together with faculty and students to find things that represented the 2014-2015 school year.  Some of the things included in the time capsule were rosters of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes; sports t-shirts for baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer.  There was also a baseball hat, a tennis ball, photo of the softball area tournament team, a signed football from the first win of the season, and a list of all the sports teams that represented the school in area playoffs.

Many of the departments also contributed various items such as band, choir, homecoming, science t-shirts.  The band contributed several DVDS from the programs this year along with a winterguard medal when the team won state champions and regional champions. The foreign language department donated some letterhead with their logo on it while the art department contributed a paint brush.

Also included to document this year were a yearbook, literary magazine, senior DVD, a graduation tassel, program from graduation, senior class photo, 2015 faculty photo, Miss HHS photo and program, shaker, and a student agenda.

Helena Mayor Mark Hall donated a variety of city items to include in the capsule.  The organizers also added a copy of one of the first Helena City News magazines from this year along with a Sports Illustrated magazine, a social media screenshot, the special education prom banner and a lunch menu.

To finish out the time capsule, a copy of the original alma mater for Helena High School was included.

The time capsule was purchased by this year’s SGA officers – Kendal Featherstone, Casey Pierce, Reed Henderson and Todd Millsap.  It is a 14×14 metal, custom welded container.  Each item is sealed in a special bag or sleeve to help protect the item.  The container is then sealed for added moisture protection.  An engraved plaque will be placed at the site.

The plan is to open the time capsule 25 years from now to see how things might have changed with the school and student body.