Eight time capsules reunite former students with their past
More than three decades after they were buried, eight time capsules from Carter Junior High School resurfaced, bringing memories, reflection, and a little piece of 1993 back to life.
The discovery began when former Carter student Patrick Carson alerted Arlington ISD officials to the capsules’ existence after learning about the school’s impending demolition. The old Carter building is in the process of being torn down after it was replaced by the new Rodriguez Junior High a few miles away.
With the help of Arlington ISD Assistant Superintendent of Facility Services Kelly Horn and Construction Project Manager Rod Sanches, Carson helped lead the construction team to the location where the capsules had been buried more than 30 years ago.
The capsules were filled with memories from students who attended Carter in 1993. As part of an assignment created by teachers Ms. Thurston, Ms. Cadden, and Mr. Hopp, seventh grade students were asked to reflect on their experiences at Carter, share where they hoped to be later in life, and include items that represented popular culture in 1993.
Letter written by Patrick Carson from time capsule found at Carter Junior High
For Carson, opening the capsule was like revisiting his 12-year-old self.
“I liked everything we did — movies, parties and more,” Carson said as he skimmed the letter he wrote as a seventh grader. “The teachers were great. They really pushed us to be better than we were, and they always supported us.”
Finding the capsules prompted Carson to reflect on the educators who helped shape his future and the continued support he has found in their friendship.
Carson was pleasantly surprised to find that Ms. Thurston had written a short reflection about each student. In Carson’s entry, she wrote, “Patrick will use his leadership and maturity skills to reach his goals and finish college.”
Patrick Carson and seventh grade teacher Ms. Cadden in 1993
Another teacher who left a lasting impression was Ms. Cadden, whom Carson described as a mother figure throughout his childhood. Her influence extended well beyond the classroom and later helped him launch his first business.
“Ms. Cadden was always there for me,” Carson recalled. “She made a tremendous impact on my life.”
Sorting through the musings of his classmates and re-reading his own letter brought Carson another moment of reflection. In the letter, he shared a goal of becoming a straight-A student when he reached high school.
Looking back now, he can proudly say he achieved that goal and went on to accomplish another. Carson now owns Carson Telecom Inc., a telecommunications company that helps businesses in the community thrive.
“Finding those capsules meant those people got a chance to talk to their younger selves from 33 years ago,” Sanches said. “From the top down, everyone was respectful of these memories, and I’m glad I was able to be part of this experience.”