The Gunston School’s Alice R. Ryan Family Library filled with laughter as the Class of 1975, joined by members from the classes of '73 and '74, gathered for their 50th Reunion this past weekend. As alumnae gathered for dinner and drinks, a small metal box was laid on the table. Found earlier this year under the steps of the academic building, the box turned out to be a time capsule, sealed since 1971. It contained a collection of items from each class that year.

As the capsule was opened for the first time in 54 years, it revealed five items including a handwritten letter written by Alice Ryan ’75 and signed by the 9th grade class, a poem entitled "Searching" from the sophomore and junior classes, a collage reflecting the style of the 1970s through magazine and newspaper clippings, and a blank application to Oxford University paired with a pretend diploma signed by former Head of School Paul Long, which drew immediate recognition and laughter. The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying a delicious dinner and combing through old yearbooks and photo albums while exchanging stories from years past. 

The Letter:

9th Grade
To whom it may concern, we would like you to know what it is like to be alive and 15 in 1971. 

It is bluejeans and barefeet, football, baseball, popcorn and movies, horseback riding, water skiing, tennis, rabbits, dogs, cats, elephants, hippopotamuses, lion cubs, snow, snowball fights, building sand castles, riding bicycles, playing pianos, talking on the telephone, watching television and having friends. 

We hope your world is as great as ours is.
 

The Poem:

“Searching”
Dazed with troubled times
We seek what is right
Confused and anxious
We make mistakes
Through this, solid character forms.

Yearning to share joys and sorrows
We find closeness in others
Look for knowledge and wisdom
We begin to find ourselves.
 
- Classes of 1973 & 1974