A tradition 50 years in the making should continue for at least another 25 as the Mineola High School Class of 2023 assisted with planting a new time capsule in front of the school Friday.

The capsule, an 18-inch section of PVC pipe painted orange, contains a variety of items provided by the students and city staff, to be unearthed by the Class of 2048.

Among them are items from the city’s sesquicentennial (150th) celebration.

The first capsule was buried for the city’s centennial in 1973 and unearthed in 1998. That class then buried another one, which was recently dug up, with much of it surviving the two and a half decades.

City Marketing Director Owen Tiner, also a member of that 1998 class, said the tradition will continue. This year is also significant for the 100-year anniversary of the Yellowjacket mascot.

Superintendent City Mize said this is yet another reminder of how special this community is, and advised the seniors on hand to realize this is their hometown.

Class President Campbell Littlefield said she is deeply honored that this class is making its own mark.

Mayor Jayne Lankford noted the five generations of Lankfords that have been MHS graduates, adding, “Look at us, we are Mineola.”

Among those on hand for the ceremonial shoveling of dirt were members of the 2023, 1998 and 1973 classes, city and school staffs, and the sesquicentennial royalty, Gordon Tiner and Martha Holmes.