A time capsule at the cornerstone of a concrete building at Goleta Valley Junior High School placed in 1964 was unearthed Friday by Principal Mauricio Ortega, who was joined by several hundred students, faculty and parents.
Some artifacts revealed included a vinyl of the song “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena” and 55-year-old papers including a document listing people involved with the school’s construction, paperwork with the accomplishments of the parent–teacher association, and a near-pristine copy of the Santa Barbara News-Press.
The capsule also had papers with information about secondary schools and the board of education, a list of La Cumbre Lodge members, and lists with the names and addresses of students in 1964.
The items appeared to be in good condition.
School officials had no record of what was placed inside the copper-coated metal box.
“We drilled it open, but we did not peak in,” Ortega said. “We are all going to see what’s in it.”
Ortega opened it up and revealed its contents to the crowd, and was cheered on by the onlookers.
The time capsule unveiling occurred during the school day, and objects placed by students in 1964 were displayed afterward.
Goleta Valley Junior High School, located northwest of Santa Barbara, has students in seventh and eighth grade, who mostly come from the Goleta Union School District’s elementary schools.
The school was established in 1964, making it the first secondary school in Goleta. The first batch of students graduated in 1965, and the school’s auditorium also opened that year.
“In 1964, the students were sharing the school with carpenters, electricians and plumbers as the auditorium was still under construction,” Ortega said. “Through it all, academic programs began, organizations of the associated student body, as well as numerous clubs and sports activities and many of our school’s traditions.”
Current students in the ASB decided to open the time capsule, and a new time capsule will be installed at the school next week.
“Something to note is that GV’s successful transitions were a direct result of an enthusiastic student body led by ASB,” Ortega said. “To this day, we still have the enthusiasm and an involved ASB.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
