Students support project marking end of Indian Hills as a Hopkinsville elementary school

A tree that produces leaves thought to improve memory and a steel cylinder designed to be water-tight for decades were both planted Tuesday in the lawn at Indian Hills Elementary School.

The Ginkgo biloba tree and the time capsule were the final projects of the League of Extraordinary Chiefs — eight girls and eight boys who participated in a mentoring program led by Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, the school’s neighbor.

“Fifty years from now no one will know what this is,” said Michelle Price, youth minister at Henderson Memorial, told the girls. She held up a round fidget toy with lines of buttons meant for popping.

The toy went into the time capsule, along with photos of students and staff members, an Indian Hills Christmas ornament, a copy of the school mission statement, Chief mascot swag and a Takis snack bag.

Indian Hills Elementary School dates to 1961, said principal Sara Johnson. It followed the development of Indian Hills neighborhood, which also included the shopping center on Canton Street that became Hopkinsville’s first retail center outside of downtown.

Henderson Memorial Baptist has coordinated the leadership program for several years, said the Rev. Ron Hicks.

Jennifer P. Brown

Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.