“I think it is SO important that we instill in our future generations the importance of our country and the people who defend it. I am proud to be an American and I am proud to be a Veteran! Many of our students will make that same decision to join our armed forces and I want to say it will be because of their strong military foundation in the home and the strong military affiliation in our base schools. They are our future leaders and I am beyond proud to be a small intricate part of that future-one song at a time.”
-Dr. Amanda Capote, PHD, North Plains Elementary
The gym at North Plains Elementary was packed; standing room only, for the third annual Veteran’s Day program orchestrated by Dr. Amanda Capote. “I’m not even a music major” Dr. Capote says with a smile, but as those of us who have been involved in music at any level know, great performances like the one at North Plains Elementary are 50% the teacher, and 50% the students on stage. Granted, Dr. Capote certainly gets the most out of the more than 125 4th, 5th, & 6th graders who performed, but you could tell all the students were enjoying the moment entertaining veterans and their spouses, active duty parents and invited guests including Mayor Mark Jantzer and 5th BW Commander Jesse Lamarand and his spouse Nathalie.
For Dr. Capote, this is the 3rd year of organizing the Veteran’s Day event, and it’s pretty easy to feel the passion she passes on to her students.
“My dad served as a nuclear engineer in the Navy and that pride for my country was instilled in me at a very young age. I knew one day I would join the military and I knew I wanted to be a cop.”
Dr. Capote was active duty and talks about her path once she was discharged. “Once, I got out of the military, I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice from Minot State University and completed my PhD in Public Safety with a specialization in Criminal Justice” says Capote. “I have always believed in the power of community, belonging, and that is something I have always felt when it came to patriotism. On base when it hits 5 PM and that National Anthem blares from the speakers–I will always proudly stop, place my hand over my heart, and sing it word for word.”
Having lived in Minot for 21 years, she talks about her association with the base and young people she teaches. “Working with military children is something that I am blessed to do every day. They are the most resilient people I know. There life is moving often, making new friends, and trying to find their place in a “new” home. They are our future military members and I want them to know how proud the military makes me!”
The Capote family includes Amanda and “my husband who has served for the USAF for 21 years (we met in technical school). I have three children McKayla (20 years old), Isabel (16 years old) and son Richie (12 years old).
Originally from South Minneapolis, Dr. Capote is not 100% certain about her future as her husband is headed to retirement. “We’re just not sure where we are going from here, if any place” says Capote.
When I asked about how each program is organized Dr. Capote said “We build the program one song at a time. The students vote on the songs we include, and they volunteer to do the reading parts.”
From God Bless the USA to the final song that included the Battle Hymn of the Republic as background for the reading of the Gettysburg Address, everyone in the audience showed appreciation with loud ovations, and even some standing ovations.
For Dr. Capote I might add in a personal observation. Yes, you build the program one song at a time, but you also strike pride and patriotism into the crowd, one heart at a time.
