Former Mitchell Classmates Reveal Contents of 2005 Time Capsule

Four friends unearth sentimental items from their high school days

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:21pm

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A group of former Mitchell High School classmates recently recovered a time capsule they buried in 2005, revealing personal letters, photos, and memorabilia from their school years, despite some items being damaged by water over time.

Why it matters

The discovery of the time capsule has resonated with the Mitchell community, showing that while some of the physical memorabilia didn't survive, the friendships behind it clearly did, providing a nostalgic look back at the lives of these former students.

The details

Kristin Chau (Williams), Kelsey Hearnen, Lindsey Engmark (Muth), and Kadie Martin (Neuharth) recovered the capsule ahead of the demolition of their former high school. Inside, they found personal letters they had written to each other, photographs, and memorabilia from trips they had taken together during their school years. The capsule also contained a CD from their high school graduation and a DVD case from the popular early-2000s TV show 'Sex and the City', which they felt represented their group of best friends.

  • The time capsule was buried by the friends in 2005 during their high school years.
  • The capsule was recently recovered ahead of the demolition of Mitchell High School.

The players

Kristin Chau (Williams)

A former Mitchell High School classmate who was part of the group that buried and recently recovered the time capsule.

Kelsey Hearnen

A former Mitchell High School classmate who was part of the group that buried and recently recovered the time capsule.

Lindsey Engmark (Muth)

A former Mitchell High School classmate who was part of the group that buried and recently recovered the time capsule.

Kadie Martin (Neuharth)

A former Mitchell High School classmate who was part of the group that buried and recently recovered the time capsule.

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What they’re saying

“It was still so special to open it, even if some of the things didn't survive.”

— Kristin Chau (Williams), Kelsey Hearnen, Lindsey Engmark (Muth), and Kadie Martin (Neuharth), Former Mitchell High School classmates

The takeaway

The discovery of the time capsule has provided a nostalgic look back at the lives of these former Mitchell High School students, highlighting the enduring power of friendship even as physical mementos of the past may not have survived the test of time.