Sophomore Holly Brandenburg sat silently Saturday as she wrote messages and decorated a sheet of paper that would be included in a time capsule that will be reopened in 2029.

“It’s cool to be able to say you did something to remember those who were lost,” she said.

As part of the Feb. 14 Memorial events, Reflections and Expressions allowed participants to express themselves with resources available for writing, audio and video recording in the Lincoln Room of the Holmes Student Center.

The Student Association came up with the idea of creating a time capsule to be included in the memorial events as a way to allow others to participate in the day.

“We just wanted to give students and anyone else who was affected in any way a safe place to reflect,” said Mona Farraj, director of SA Cultural Affairs and senior general studies major.

Brandenburg, a child development major, wrote messages that included “always remember” and make sure to tell loved ones that you love them because you never know what tomorrow might bring.

“I think it’s just really important to remember what happened and never forget,” she said.

Kelly and Lindsay Wilson, both NIU alumni and Aurora residents, came back to their alma mater to participate in the day’s events, including creating an artifact for the time capsule. The sisters, who both received art degrees from NIU, said they appreciated the fact that creative expression was taken into account when planning the event.

Lindsay, who graduated in 2008, still attended NIU when the tragedy occurred and wanted to come back to see the day’s event.

“It’s still something I definitely think about, and I’m still a part of my college,” Lindsay said.
A 1999 alumna, Kelly, wrote a message that included a large “Forward, Together Foward” in red and black print.

“Every time I ever hear or see the ‘Forward, Together Forward,’ it just touches me,” Kelly said. “Who would have ever thought that something like that would be so relevant to something like this.”

All the time capsule’s artifacts will be included in a binder and protected before being put in the ground sometime during this academic year.

“I think that it will be a window to a picture of NIU’s courage at a different time,” said SA Adviser Robert Budach.

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