Fifty years from now, people will be able to know what life was like in the 2020-21 school year thanks to a time capsule that was created by Scott Davis, a senior at Octorara Junior-Senior High School.

Items that will be placed in the decorative cherry box, which Scott handcrafted in the school woodshop, include a school facemask that was worn during the pandemic, hand sanitizer and a blank COVID-19 vaccination card.

Scott, who is a reporter for the school newspaper, the Octorara Outlook, said that the box will reflect how life was impacted by the pandemic. "I wanted to do one for quite some time, but I felt this was the best time. I thought the school needed one to remember what we were going through," he stated. "I thought it would be a good senior project and a (project for the) newspaper club. I knew Mrs. (Jennifer) Watson, our adviser, would help guide me."

After coming up with the idea to create a time capsule, Scott was given the go-ahead by the school principal and district superintendent. He then set out to create the box, which is 18 inches wide, 10 inches tall and 12 inches long, and includes a laser-engraved brass plaque on top identifying it as the school's time capsule. "We started in early February and completed (the box) in April," he explained. "I used my free periods in the day to work on it, and Mr. (Matthew) Talley guided me along."

In addition to the items already mentioned, other objects in the box include a copy of "The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead, which was donated by the publishers; wireless ear buds and a smartphone that are no longer operational; common school supplies; aerial photos of the school and playing fields taken by a drone; recent newspaper and magazine publications; photos; digital documents on flash drives; gift cards; and 2021 proof coins in a sealed case.

"I sent Google forms asking the students for donations or ideas or messages they wanted to include," Scott said. "We will (include students') predictions and their most memorable things about school. Hopefully, (50 years from now) we can look back on what they said then and what they thought."

The capsule is set to be sealed on Wednesday, June 16, after graduation, and will not be opened again until June of 2071. "It is meant to be a decorative piece on display, and it will be (kept) in the building," Scott noted. "There is a decorative lock we morticed onto the box. There will be a key turned halfway so it doesn't fall out, (but) it will be all closed for 50 years."

Scott will attend Penn State University's main campus in the fall to study mechanical engineering. He will be 68 years old when the time capsule is reopened.