Located on the southwest side of the Fine Arts Building, near Loop 410, a time capsule was sunk into the ground just under a decade ago.

In 1995, Palo Alto’s former president Jose Vela established a mentoring program in an attempt to make a connection with neighboring elementary schools. The program was designed to enrich reading skills and help students become productive citizens in society.

Palo Alto students who were interested in going into the field of education participated in the mentoring of two nearby elementary schools: Bob Hope and Palo Alto Elementary.

Students there received help in areas including reading skills, spelling, comprehension and focus.

The mentoring program established a one-on-one experience that helped the second graders improve their skills, which in turn helped prepare them for the transition into the third grade.

The Mentors in this program received hands-on experience and gained knowledge on how schools work. Mariana Ornelas, a Humanities professor of Palo Alto and a supporter of the mentoring program, said, “It’s a good promotion for the school, and it shows that we [Palo Alto] keep our word. It promotes education for long term.”

A total of 67 students from both schools received help. Those students were promised scholarships to attend Palo Alto College if they completed the mentorship program and if they graduated from high school. The scholarship will cover tuition, fees plus books for the two years that the students will attend Palo Alto.

“Palo Alto will be able to honor that commitment, honor that promise,” said Vincent Bosquez, Palo Alto’s Director of Public Relations.

Roxanne Garza is one scholarship recipient who is currently finishing up her senior year at Somerset High. Garza said she will attend Palo Alto College and then transfer to The University of Texas at San Antonio where she will study Pre-Dentistry.

“I’m grateful. It’s a privilege. It’s an honor to receive this scholarship,” Garza said.

The second grade students were asked to write essays on where they saw themselves in 10 years and what they thought the world would be like. All essays, including collages, photographs of themselves and Palo Alto College memorabilia, were put into the time capsule and buried.

The unearthing of the time capsule this fall will kick off the 20th anniversary of Palo Alto College. The event will occur sometime during the end of August or at the beginning of September.

Palo Alto’s Public Relations officers were successful in contacting 36 of the 67 second graders. If you have any information about the remaining students, please contact Vincent Bosquez, Public Relations Officer at (210) 921-5253.