On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Wakulla County opened a time capsule originally buried during the nation’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976.

The Wakulla High School Class of 1976 participated in the original time capsule, leaving behind pieces of history for future generations to discover. Fifty years later, members of the Wakulla High School Class of 2026 helped carry that legacy forward by speaking on behalf of their class during the opening ceremony and contributing to a new time capsule scheduled to be opened in 2076.

Wakulla High School’s Theatre Troupe also contributed to the new time capsule, including a program from its 2026 production of The Drowsy Chaperone and a photo of the cast and crew in front of the Wakulla High School stage. The contribution holds special meaning, as the current stage is scheduled to be demolished within the next two years as part of the construction of the new Wakulla High School and its future Performing Arts Center.

As Wakulla County looked back on the past 50 years, students also helped mark the beginning of the next 50, preserving memories, milestones, and traditions for the generations who will gather again in 2076.

Remarks from Wakulla High School Class of 2026 President Aaron Robinson:

"I can't put into words how much of an honor and how special this opportunity is. I think it's going over our heads a bit how historic today really is — I know it took me a moment to really reflect on the significance and magnitude of this ceremony. And to make it all the more special, this year's graduating class now has a special place in the history of this community. The Class of 2026 is now one of only two classes in the history of Wakulla High School to take part in this event. To put that to scale, the first capsule was buried in 1976 and our friends in the Class of '76 had the special honor of partaking in that event. That was 50 years ago. And here we are 50 years later, reunited with those who one night went to sleep as young men and women and dreamt of what today would look like. That's truly amazing to me and I also think it's amazing that they are here today to hand over the torch to the next generation — giving to us such a crucial responsibility to preserve our way of life in Wakulla County. I thank them for instilling their trust and confidence in us to carry out such a heavy task.

With that said, this transition requires everyone to be involved and I'm happy that this evening we were able to set precedent. 50 years from now, it will be important for students and the community alike to replicate this process for the sake of preserving our history and culture, and continuing tradition.

That leads me into my final point. This event is special for a number of reasons, but I think its most special to me because of what it has the ability to do. It's amazing to see the items from decades ago put out on display but it's even more amazing to see how something like this can bring our community together. In a fractured world full of hate and division, our community seems to always rise above. We have our disagreements and we aren't perfect, but when the sun falls and there's no light in sight we always come together. When an occasion calls for our immediate attention, we provide it in unison. It's one of the reasons why I and so many other people love this community so much. Despite the division of the world around us, we are always able to come together and unite as one. If you look around the country, that's becoming harder and harder for communities to do, but that's something we do so well in Wakulla and it's important that we keep it that way because our principles, morals, values, and all-around way of life depend on it.

I'd like to close things up by once again thanking the Wakulla County Time Capsule Committee for this special opportunity, I'd also like to thank the workers and volunteers who played such a crucial role in making this ceremony possible, I'd like to thank the Board of County Commissioners, the Office of the Clerk of Courts, the Class of 1976 for allowing us to follow in their footsteps, the various different individuals and organizations that allowed us to work with them throughout this process and share the capsule with them for the next 50 years, the companies that sponsored this event and provided their resources and services throughout this process, my fellow graduates of the Class of 2026 for allowing me to speak on their behalf tonight, and, most importantly, I thank the people of Wakulla County.

This is what it means to come together, continue tradition, and preserve the things that make Wakulla special and sets us apart from the rest of the world.

Thank you and, as always, Go War Eagles!"