Time machine gives students a chance to meet past and future

In the short span of time we are allotted on Earth, we have to content ourselves with learning about most of the people and events that shaped our culture from afar.

None of us will ever meet Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, George Washington Carver, Genghis Khan, Harriet Tubman, or Albert Einstein. Nor can we know what it was like to storm the Bastille, visit a “speak easy” during Prohibition, or watch the first airplane take flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

Likewise, most of us alive now will not live to see the dawn of the 22nd century.

With that being said, we thought it would be interesting to give a group of students from LCMS and LCHS an imaginary time machine and ask them to tell us what year they would visit and why.

Some of their responses are printed below:

Tom Reed, 9th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go to 01 A.D. and see baby Jesus born in the manger, and you know, talk to Mary and Joseph and shake Jesus’ hand (even if he was a baby). I’d stay a little while, say good-bye, and then go into the future for a little while and find

out who wins what games and the winning lottery number and come home and have a good time.

Dylan Arthur, 8th grade — If I could go back to any place and time, I would go back to October 20, 2006. The reason I would go back is to give myself some advice. I would tell myself not to ride the dirt bike, but to push it. The reason I would tell myself that is so I wouldn’t get hurt. Here is my story.

I was in the computer room at my aunt’s house when my cousin, James Spratlin, comes in. He is hurt so I go get his dirt bike. I get on it and start to bring it home when I have a wreck. I fall off, hit my head, and bust it open. Then I hear the ambulance, and I get scared. I start saying, “I don’t want to go.” Mr. Saggus comes and prays over me. I go to the hospital and have a CAT scan on my head to see if my skull is broken. I was OK, and then, I went to Sonic and ate. I was OK. That is what I would do if I had a time machine and went back in time.

Dakota Turner, 9th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go back to 1915 and see how my great-granddad lived. He joined the army and fought in World War I. I would like to see his farm and how it changed after he went off to war. That’s what I would like to see.

DeAna Parks, 10th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go back to the 1970s because people love afros. I want to know how I would look with an afro. When I’m riding in a car, I listen to some of the 70s’ music because my mom likes it. Some of the 70s’ music interests me. I’ve never worn the kind of pumps that they wore — just seeing if I could dance in those high shoes would be so much fun. It would be great if this could really happen.

Ryan Williamson, 12th grade — If I could go back to any year, it would be 2002. All I know is that was a really fun and stress-free year. It was when I first started skateboarding and basketball.

Tiara Wynn, 8th grade — If I was given the opportunity to travel back to the past, I would go back to the years of slavery. As a black female, I would love to have a chance to experience how life was for young African- American boys and girls my age. It would give me the chance to see how harshly slaves were treated and how much easier it is now for African- Americans. I’d also enjoy learning the songs they sang and what some of their codes meant. If I was given the opportunity, I’d take that trip in a heartbeat because I truly think it would change the way I see things and my way of living.

Dasna Bussey, 6th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go to the past to see my grandpa. My grandpa was sweet to me. Before I left (the present), I would get $1,000 so I could take him where he wanted to go. And on Christmas Eve, we would sing “Silent Night” together. The next day I will go home. I would hug my grandpa and tell him I loved him forever, show him my grades, and then leave.

Grayson Ashmore, 6th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go back to kindergarten because we had no homework.

Meg Ball, 8th grade — Boom! Bang! Bazang! Away to 1920 we go in our luxurious JA Time Machine — 1920 was a year when everyone was happy. The economy was booming, the clothing was extremely hot, and last but not least, the Charleston was sweeping through the nation. So, if there was such a thing as a JA Time Machine, I would thoroughly enjoy visiting the “roaring twenties.” I mean, with lacquered hair and women with their new right to vote, who wouldn’t want to visit 1920?

Earnessa Davis, 12th grade — If I had a time machine and could go back in time, I would go to the 50s. I would really like to experience the life that was lived on the hit TV show “Happy Days.” I like the music, the clothes, and the cars. My tenth-grade musical theatre class performed “Grease,” and I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed wearing my poodle skirt!

Kerri Seymour, 9th grade — I would like to go back to ancient Greece or Rome. I would love to go to this time period to see the temples they built for their gods, and I would also like to see the way these people lived and how they survived without modern medicine and technology.

D.J. Tapley, 9th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go back to the year 1969. I would see the moon landing on TV and watch how people acted about it. Of course, I would go see a Jimi Hendrix concert so he could amaze me with his guitar skills.

Oliver Mongrue, 9th grade — I think it would be fun to go back in time and just see how things were different exactly 100 years ago. I would like to see what they did in their spare time because it’s not like they had TV or anything.

LeeAnne Boddie, 8th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go back to the Medieval Era. I would somehow become a knight and fight for the king. I would be the greatest knight ever. No man in the kingdom would think me weak. I would enter and win every tournament. When my comrades fell in battle, I would help them and lead them to victory. Even in the most devastating times, I would turn the tables on my enemies. I would stay there for two months and go back home on the day I left. Then my friends would ask where I got the scars and tan from. I would say, “Well, let’s just say the men who left these are history.”

Keestan Wynn, 9th grade — I would go to 1963 because I would want to be part of that Red Devil team. They are known for having the best defense, having only given up four points the entire season.

Justin Williams, 6th grade — If I had a time machine, I’d to go the year 2012 to see if our scientists have found a way to help prevent people from finding drugs and beer because most deaths are caused by drugs and beer.

Will Strickland, 8th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go back to September 9, 2001. I would try to warn all the people in the World Trade Center that a catastrophe would occur on September 11, 2001. Hopefully, the people would listen to me and not go to work on September 11. Maybe me going back in time would save many people’s lives.

Tanner Eicher, 9th grade — If I had a time machine, I would travel to when I would be about 30 because I want to know who I would be married to. I really hope she looks good.

Brittany Perkins, 8th grade — If I was given the opportunity to travel backwards, it would not be to see something or experience an event again, but to see someone. You see, a few years ago, probably around 2002 or 2003, I used to spend a lot of time with my great-grandmother, Margaret Story, but I called her Nene. Anyway, she was the one who first taught me to sew, and she was the one who really got me interested in beaded work, like necklaces. My mom and dad always said she was the one who spoiled me most. I used to spend a lot of time with her, and when she passed away, it really had an impact on my life. Ultimately, if I could travel backwards to a different era in time, it would be around 2002 or 2003, so I could see my Nene again — in good health. Who wouldn’t travel back to see someone they miss dearly?

Blake Murray, 6th grade — If I had a time machine, I would visit the past to find the lost city of Atlantis, to find the Mayan people and so see where Christopher Columbus landed.

Trey Burt, 8th grade — If I had a time machine, I would go back to the year 1980. I know that to some people, 1980 was just another year in the past, but to true Georgia fans, it was the greatest year of all time. That year, Georgia won its first national championship, and they had a freshman running back named Herschel Walker who would later become a legend in Bulldawg hearts. With the help of Walker’s unbelievable runs and Lindsey Scott’s remarkable catches, the Bulldawgs went undefeated and proved that Georgia was one of the best football programs in the nation. I have some film about the 1980 championship team, but I would want to go back in time and see for myself all those marvelous plays and the championship trophy.

Kristen Freeman, 8th grade — If I could do so, I would take a journey back in time to the night that Jesus was born. I would be so honored just to catch a glimpse of the “newborn King.” It would be pleasing to meet Mary and Joseph and to play with the baby Jesus. I would also like to observe the star that led the three wise men as well as the inn — to see the presents that the wise men brought would be extraordinary! Since it is getting nearer to Christmas Day, it would be marvelous to meet Christ as He came into this world!