NEDERLAND - When the current Nederland Elementary School (NES) building was completed, a beautifully carved panther and owl sculpture was added to watch and inspire all who learn and teach in the school.

The sculpture is titled A Welcome to Wisdom and it is carved by Scott Harrison, who carved the animals for the Carousel of Happiness. 

In the back of the panther is an opening. In 1991, students and staff put some local artifacts into it to make it a Panther Time Capsule. Other items were put into it from 2001. It is believed that at that point the time capsule was closed and not reopened until now. 

In the Capsule was a Pokémon card, a little Teddy bear, some rocks, a pencil sharper, notes from former students, and a cassette tape, among other things. On the cassette tape (after a search for a cassette player) voices could be heard from Ms. Randy Satcher’s 3rd grade class from 2000-2001. 

Now, adding to the time capsule, each class at NES worked on a project to put into the Panther. Each class was given a plastic bag into which to put some articles to go with an assigned topic of current events.

The preschool made an art project. The Kindergarten classes put in some small toys. First grade’s topic was on current books and authors. Current games and music were covered by the second grade. Third grade wrote about current Nederland news. Fourth grade wrote about pop culture news and events, and fifth graders put together a magazine on current world events.

The hope is that the Panther Time Capsule will not be opened again until 2050 -- in 25 years. What will the students at NES 25 years from now think of what is in the time capsule from 2024-25?

On November 20, all the students at NES met in assembly to talk about the Panther Time Capsule and present their items to put into the Panther. This was a time to remember and respect all the students who have been at NES before them. And to understand that they are responsible for the image of NES today and in the future.