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Junior High School Unlocks a Moment in Time
On Nov. 13, West Babylon Junior High School students traveled back in time as they unearthed a time capsule buried 30 years ago. The capsule, originally sealed in 1995 by former Junior High School Principal Michael Rizzo, a former Marine and Purple Heart recipient, offered students a unique glimpse into the school’s past.
Mr. Rizzo’s brother Steve spoke about his legacy. “No one taught me more about leadership and perseverance than my brother,” he said. “He faced challenges that few could survive, yet he refused to let anyone define what he could or could not do. That unstoppable spirit is rooted in his pride as a West Babylon Eagle.”
“Thirty years ago, in 1995, Principal Rizzo buried a time capsule with the hope that it would one day reconnect us to the spirit of this school,” said Junior High School Principal Dr. Carlos Falcon. “Today, as we open it, we stand not just as witnesses to history, but as participants in a legacy that continues to shape our community. Legacy is not only what we leave behind, but what continues to live on – our traditions, our values, and the ideas that outlast time itself. It is the bridge between our past, our present, and our future.”
Former West Babylon Superintendent Mel Noble spoke about the legacy of Mr. Rizzo. “While Mr. Rizzo is longer with us, I am confident that the capsule’s contents will demonstrate the long-lasting impact of strategies, events and actions that occurred here during his first two years as principal.”
Former Superintendent Dr. Robert Manley added, “As we reflect on what was placed in the time capsule 30 years ago, we are reminded that history holds vital lessons. Those who came before us show us how to thrive, how to persevere, and how to care for one another. ‘Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle’ means that no matter how far life takes you, you will always have a home here. You will always find support, community, and people who care.”
When the capsule was opened, students were amazed to discover artifacts from 1995, including a cassette tape, a TV Guide, an early-model cell phone and a beeper — items that demonstrated just how much technology and daily life have evolved over three decades.
Reflecting on the time capsule, West Babylon Superintendent of Schools Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly remarked that while technology may have changed, the values of West Babylon remain timeless. “Technology may change and the world may evolve, but the essence of education remains the same. Our mission continues to focus on cultivating critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and resilient learners. Our students are preparing for a world that doesn’t yet exist. They are creators, thinkers, innovators, and humanitarians — often all at once — and they carry forward a legacy built on both tradition and transformation. That continues to be our mission, now more than ever. As we open this time capsule from 30 years ago, we will reflect not only on the artifacts inside, but on the values that have carried us then and now as a West Babylon strong family. Our sense of community, our sense of history, growth, and a shared belief in the past power of education, and the power of community, and the power of West Babylon.”
Following the opening, students took part in a museum-style walk in the gymnasium to view these items and learn more about the era in which they were sealed away. To
continue the tradition, today’s students will assemble and bury their own time capsule, complete with a newly installed plaque and instructions for it to be opened in 25 years.
“As we look forward, we prepare a very new time capsule to be opened in 2050, and we will do so with hope and confidence in the generations to come,” Dr. Farrelly added. “This new capsule will hold reminders of who we are today and what we stand for, a generation shaped by innovation and global awareness. As we open this time capsule let us celebrate the past that has shaped us, the present that defines us, and the future that awaits us. May those who open this next capsule in 2050 see that we never lost sight of our past while embracing necessary changes to prepare our students for the ever-changing future.”
This new capsule will capture the voices, values and milestones of the current generation, ensuring that the legacy of the Junior High School lives on for decades to come.
