A moment in time

Fifty years from now, most members of the Washougal High School class of 2011 will be retired and many will have grandchildren, some close to graduating.

As mind-blowing as growing older is for many teenagers, the fact of the matter is that it happens quicker than any of us expect.

That is what inspired Emily Carroll to put together a time capsule for her senior project.

“I really have been fascinated with this stuff for a long time,” she said. “I thought putting together a time capsule would be fun and I also wanted a unique idea for my senior project, something that no one has done before.”

Carroll chose the 50-year mark to open the capsule because, by then, “I will have lived, loved, cried and truly experienced life,” she said.

“One day, we can open the capsule and look at all the ordinary stuff (of everyday life). Collecting all of these treasures helps me appreciate the now. When I’m 68, I hope this makes me realize how lucky I was to have lived in Washougal.”

Carroll buried the time capsule in the WHS courtyard on Sunday, with a small crowd of family and friends looking on.

She and community members Roger Daniels and Bernice Pluchos spoke to attendees. Afterward, all were invited to the commons area for punch and cookies, and to view items that were going into the ground.

Some of these included WHS memorabilia, menus from local restaurants, a shopping bag from Lily Atelier, a copy of “Twilight,” a racing bib and medal from the Stride for Education, a class of 2011 graduation announcement, the 2010-11 Camas-Washougal Post-Record Fact Book, and copies of the newspaper, along with The Columbian and The Oregonian, among other items.

As far as figuring out what to put in the time capsule, Carroll asked for suggestions and also came up with several of her own ideas.

“I have an amazing sample of items,” she said.