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Weller leaves a message for future students
Thursday, October 26th, 2034...
That’s the day a time capsule buried on Oct. 26 will be unearthed by the future students and staff of Steuart W. Weller Elementary School in Ashburn.
The time capsule was buried in front of the school as students, faculty and guests watched.
“I thought of this as a connection from the past to the present to the future,” said Principal Janet Platenberg in opening the ceremony.
She said the school, named in honor of one of Ashburn’s leading citizens, represents a culmination of a rich tradition of community involvement.
The items placed in the time capsule by Weller’s first student body reflect that commitment and will show students in a quarter century what today’s students value.
Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Edgar Hatrick III said he wanted the students to think about something as the time capsule began its slumber.
“Don’t just think about the things that you have put in the time capsule that you will see again...I want you to think about what will happen between now and then.”
Hatrick said the students would write a lot of history during that time; a history of both Steuart W. Weller Elementary and of their family.
Like Weller, Hatrick said, the students could become key members of the community and loving members of their family.
One current community leader, Sen. Mark Herring (D-eastern Loudoun), made a contribution to the time capsule. He presented a Virginia state flag that had been flown over the Capitol on Steuart Weller’s birthday, April 24.
Weller’s widow, Gracie, and daughter, Patty Russell, also took part in the ceremony.
Gracie Weller said she knew that the people who opened the time capsule would learn something about her husband. “Everybody will know how wonderful he was by looking at his picture.”
The Weller Elementary chorus performed the school song and “Dreams that Children Dream.” Students also stated wishes that they held for the students who would open the time capsule.
Items that are contained in the time capsule include:
Virginia state flag flown over the State Capitol in Richmond;
Photograph of Steuart W. Weller from his wife, Gracie Weller;
Panoramic photo of all students taken outside during the 2008-2009 school year;
Letters from current school administrators and staff for the staff of the future;
Staff spirit wear and a lanyard for an ID badge;
Staff photo taken during the 2008-2009 school year;
“Our Year in Review 2008-2009”;
Student handbook;
DVD’s with videos of student activities (video of an interview with Gracie Weller, video coverage);
USB drive with videos of student activities;
LCPS Appropriated Budget Book;
“Paw Prints” with wishes from current students for future students;
2008-2009 school yearbook;
Map of current attendance boundaries
– Elizabeth Coe
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