Piedmont Lakes Middle School will host a time capsule opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23 in the school gymnasium. 

Principal James Montgomery said the capsule was developed by the class of 2000 as a celebration of the Millennium. Montgomery will introduce the ceremony and lead a presentation of alumni athletes. 

Other guests will include Mayor Bryan Nelson, Orange County District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore and Orange County School Board Vice Chair Melissa Byrd. Former principal David Magee will open the capsule, and PTSA president Rhondalisha Collins will provide closing remarks. The Piedmont Lakes choir, advanced orchestra, wind ensemble and student dancers will provide various performances throughout the ceremony.  

“[The] [v]ision of Piedmont Lakes Middle is to learn from the past to embrace the future,” Montgomery said in a statement to The Apopka Chief. 

Contents from the 2000 time capsule will be displayed on a table for the audience, and refreshments will be available after the ceremony. Piedmont Lakes will seal a new time capsule with memories from the current school year in May. 

“The opening of the Piedmont time capsule is so exciting and a great opportunity to show our students the importance of history and community,” Byrd said in a statement to the Chief. “How wonderful it will be for them to see the community celebrating their school. As their board member and a former Piedmont Lakes mom, I’m thrilled to be a part of this special event.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Melissa Byrd.