Capturing a Moment in Time
By Bruce McMahon
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At Closing some of you may enjoy, as I have for many years, the opportunity to take a seat on the stone wall that runs the length of Lefevre Field.
This year the Grade 11 LCV group took on the monumental task of dismantling and then rebuilding the wall. Built perhaps a hundred years ago the wall had settled and then started to slowly dismantle itself over time. It was charming, but it was also a bit dangerous. Under the gentle guidance and labour of a master stone mason, the wall is now complete. It is stunning.
The Grade 10 Canadian History students have also become part of the wall. Not literally, of course, but they have left something within the stone structure that should survive for some time. We did not have much time. The wall was nearing completion. John the Mason gave us a window of about a week to get all our objects together. We wrote letters to a future self. We captured images that were both personal reflections of this year as well as scenes and places that each of us felt connected to on campus. Coins and stamps that celebrated Canada's 150th Anniversary were purchased locally. A Grove News and newspaper from the day were carefully placed in a protective sleeve. A student donated a shoe. Not a pair of shoes but a single shoe. A copy of what some consider to be a fashion icon of their time. On the morning we were scheduled to join John we gathered all the items together and placed them carefully in a dry bag. This bag was then inserted into our metal container with a rubber seal lid. We ventured out to the wall where John had prepared a vault like opening in the wall. A capstone had been chosen and prepared. We took a photo of our group and handed over the time capsule.
Our hope is that somehow we are able to remember that 25 years from now the wall will be opened and the capsule removed from its vault. The year will be 2042. It may be Fall Fair or Regatta Day or even better the 23rd year after this Grade 10 class will have graduated. Not a traditional time for a gathering but perhaps an exception could be made. In the age of electronic data transmission and deleted files how interesting would it be to receive a letter from yourself 25 years after you sealed the envelope in Mr. McMahon's Canadian History class at Lakefield College School!
This year the Grade 11 LCV group took on the monumental task of dismantling and then rebuilding the wall. Built perhaps a hundred years ago the wall had settled and then started to slowly dismantle itself over time. It was charming, but it was also a bit dangerous. Under the gentle guidance and labour of a master stone mason, the wall is now complete. It is stunning.
The Grade 10 Canadian History students have also become part of the wall. Not literally, of course, but they have left something within the stone structure that should survive for some time. We did not have much time. The wall was nearing completion. John the Mason gave us a window of about a week to get all our objects together. We wrote letters to a future self. We captured images that were both personal reflections of this year as well as scenes and places that each of us felt connected to on campus. Coins and stamps that celebrated Canada's 150th Anniversary were purchased locally. A Grove News and newspaper from the day were carefully placed in a protective sleeve. A student donated a shoe. Not a pair of shoes but a single shoe. A copy of what some consider to be a fashion icon of their time. On the morning we were scheduled to join John we gathered all the items together and placed them carefully in a dry bag. This bag was then inserted into our metal container with a rubber seal lid. We ventured out to the wall where John had prepared a vault like opening in the wall. A capstone had been chosen and prepared. We took a photo of our group and handed over the time capsule.
Our hope is that somehow we are able to remember that 25 years from now the wall will be opened and the capsule removed from its vault. The year will be 2042. It may be Fall Fair or Regatta Day or even better the 23rd year after this Grade 10 class will have graduated. Not a traditional time for a gathering but perhaps an exception could be made. In the age of electronic data transmission and deleted files how interesting would it be to receive a letter from yourself 25 years after you sealed the envelope in Mr. McMahon's Canadian History class at Lakefield College School!
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4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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