Time capsule uncovered during Winter Park High School renovations will be displayed

Capsule is one of many found on campus, district says

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OCPS/ Winter Park High School

The time capsule secretly buried by members of the Winter Park High School Class of 1985.

ORLANDO, Fla. – When a large metal barrel was secretly buried by members of the 1985 graduating class of Winter Park High School, Wham’s “Careless Whisper” topped the music charts and ‘New Coke’ infuriated a nation of Coca-Cola fans.

Almost four decades later, renovation crews digging in the school’s courtyard between building 300 and the gym uncovered a black container sticking out from the sandy dirt.

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Scraped onto the side of the container with red ink read “Winter Park High 1985″.

The time capsule secretly buried by members of the Winter Park High School Class of 1985. (OCPS/ Winter Park High School)

Inside the barrel crews found a Polaroid picture of three smiling students dated May 15, 1985, with the names Denise, Johnny and Monica written on the bottom.

Orange County Public Schools and Winter Park High School posted a picture of the Polaroid and the 39-year-old capsule on social media asking if anyone recognized the graduating trio.

This Polaroid, dated May 15, 1985, offers a glimpse into the past. The caption lists Denise, Johnny, and Monica. (OCPS/ Winter Park High School)

Within an hour, a user named Monica Keegan replied the post saying, “That’s me Monica Keegan, Johnny Jacks and Denise Lynne Ciotti. I never thought I would see that photo again! Denise and I still remain close friends even after all these years! Great story!!! Thank you to whoever found this and kept it! Is there a way we can get this back to us? Thank you again!”

The district told News 6 the school is working to get in contact with the students in the photo.

The time capsule secretly buried by members of the Winter Park High School Class of 1985. (OCPS/ Winter Park High School)

Once the capsule is properly opened, the district said it will be placed on display in the Media Center to join the many other time capsules uncovered on the campus over the years.

News 6 reached out to Monica Keegan for an update on the items found inside the secret capsule. We’ll update this story as soon as we hear back.


About the Author

Katrina Scales is a producer for the News 6+ Takeover at 3:30 p.m. She also writes and voices the podcast Your Florida Daily. Katrina was born and raised in Brevard County and started her journalism career in radio before joining News 6 in June 2021.

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