A Blast from the Past

Early bird fans at the BHS enjoyed a special treat as a group of alumni followed through on a twenty-year-old request, opening a "time capsule" which had been sitting in the high school trophy case for two decades. Members of Deneice Winn's PAAT class (the 1988 version of today's Gifted and Talented program) had each contributed an item to be locked up in a small wooden chest. The students' names were printed on the back of the box: Jocelyn Bishop, Spencer Burkhalter, Sammi Jo Castles, Whit Cave, Lexie D., Michael Grissett, April Gross, Erin Harcrow, Amanda Hodge,Melanie Hoepken, Devin Kniffin, John Thomas Petree, Kathy Pursch, Mandy Roach, Joseph R. Rodell, Allen Van Wey, Jessica Vincent, Chris Warren, Daniel Webb, Donovan West, Denisse Williams, Dianna Williams and John Williams, Instructions taped on the top of the chest listed four class members who had been selected to open the box when it was duly ripened: 4th graders April and Chris, 5th grade Jocelyn, and 6th grader Erin. It was "to be opened on Homecoming Night in the year 2009", per instructions taped on the top of the box.

(L-R) Becky Smith, April Gross Jones, Jocelyn Bishop O’Neil, Deneice Winn and Yvonne Harcrow peruse the contents of the “time capsule” prepared by BISD elementary students ‘way back when, and opened Friday night before the BHS football game. Van’Go’photo Homecoming Night slipped by, but happily someone took note of the chest and its instructions in time for a home game, and fortunately the key to the padlock had been wisely secured with masking tape on the back of the box. On Friday, October 23, 2009, April Gross Jones and Jocelyn Bishop O'Neil were able to attend the game and do the honors. Chris, who lives in South Korea, was represented by his mother, Becky Smith. David and Yvonne Harcrow stood in for Erin Harcrow Placke, who now lives in Memphis.

When the box was opened with all the necessary pomp and decorum, it was found to contain some interesting treasures, including: a small Bison football, a (very short) pair of blue jeans, photos and self-addressed letters, predictions for the future, a half-eaten rice cake (?), and a copy of The Buffalo Press (!).