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A ����ԭ�� alumnus turned his passion for music into “Metal for Meals,” a benefit concert that helped support the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

Deafening rock music shook the walls of Noise Town music venue in Tulsa last summer, as metal bands took the stage to raise money for the . “Metal for Meals” was the brainchild of ����ԭ�� alumnus Christopher Capra that combined music with mission.

“We thought it would be pretty cool to do something for the Food Bank that uses music,” Capra remembers. “My dad came up with the name ‘Metal for Meals.’ I got my friend’s band, Hypnosis, to play and we found another band, Garden Ants, and we went to . I didn’t know we were going to have that big of a turnout.”

Capra’s own band, Holy Practitioner, rounded out the night’s lineup in front of a packed house. A portion of all proceeds went directly to the Food Bank, helping families across its 24-county service area.

The mission was personal for Capra. Over the summer, he worked on a 12-person Food Bank team that delivered more than 600,000 meals to local food pantries and community centers.

Capra’s favorite part of the job was spending time with kids along his delivery route, often bringing colored pencils and paper so they could make art together.

“The kids are so joyful, and they have their whole lives ahead of them,” says Capra. “When you’re an adult, your view of life is pretty well set, and it’s hard to change. But kids haven’t reached that point yet, so the positive influence you can have on them is incredibly powerful.”

Before working with the Food Bank, Capra was one of more than 70 students from to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree from ����ԭ��, plus a Sound Engineering certification from Tulsa Tech, all while holding down a part-time job. He graduated with distinction from ����ԭ�� and ranked in the top 5 percent of his high school class.

“It was definitely the busiest time of my life so far. But it was all worth it,” Capra says. “It’s more manageable than it seems. I know the work I put in is going to save me time and money. I would recommend any student look into the opportunity.”

The Early College Academy prepares students in ninth and 10th grades with high school-level courses, then transitions them into ����ԭ�� coursework in 11th and 12th grades. This pathway allows them to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. For Capra, that means starting his first year at the University of Central Oklahoma already halfway to his bachelor’s degree.

This fall, Capra is majoring in Psychology while studying Music at the UCO’s renowned Academy of Contemporary Music. While he doesn’t plan to pursue music as a full-time career, he says it will always be part of his life.

“Music and being creative helps you understand yourself and connect with others,” says Capra. “And psychology is about understanding people and helping them grow. So, there are some similarities.”

Looking ahead, Capra hopes to become a therapist, but he also plans to keep performing and creating.

“I want to help and inspire people. I want to push people in a new direction … If I can use what I’ve learned to help someone change their life for the better, that’s what matters.”