She and her band have performed for legions of fans before Seattle Reign (National Women’s Soccer League) games and at Seattle Kraken (National Hockey League) games. But singing the national anthem as part of a choir with Charlie Puth at Super Bowl LX—in front of 70,823 fans at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and 124.9 million viewers watching on TV—was the largest audience she had ever played for.

Despite the massive crowd, she said she didn’t feel any nerves. “It’s harder for me to perform in a small space or more intimate setting,” she said. 

‘All under wraps’

So how was the 91����Ƶ alumna able to land such a high-profile gig?

Since March 2023, Murray has been a member of the , directed by Terrance Kelly, which for the past four decades has made it its mission to inspire joy and unity through Black gospel and spiritual music traditions. Murray typically sings tenor in the choir but sang alto for their national anthem performance.

She said the production team working with Puth—the singer of such hits as See You Again and We Don’t Talk Anymore—reached out to the gospel choir and selected 10 performers. Ten members of the , an ensemble based in Charlotte, North Carolina, directed by Dennis Reed Jr., were also chosen.

“This was all under wraps; we couldn’t talk about it or anything,” Murray said. “But all of this happened within a week and a half, so we didn’t actually get our arrangements or parts until the Monday before the Super Bowl.”

On Friday, two days before Super Bowl Sunday, performers from the two choirs boarded a bus from Oakland, California, to Levi’s Stadium for sound check, where they were fitted for in‑ear monitors and the robes they would wear on the field.

“It was such a huge production,” said Murray. “In the same time span Brandi Carlile was singing America the Beautiful, we were singing our part with Charlie and the orchestra, and they were practicing videography for the flyover. All of that was being rehearsed at the same time.”

“It was pretty wild to have Brandi’s vocals live in my in-ear monitors because she’s one of my favorite contemporary singer-songwriters,” Murray added. “She’s a force to be reckoned with, so it was special to be in her orbit that way.”

The big day

On Sunday morning, the choirs arrived at the stadium, passed through security, and prepared for their performance at a nearby soccer field that had been turned into a green room. They shared the space with the orchestra and the performers dressed in grass suits who were part of the set for the Bad Bunny halftime show.

They walked through the same tunnel that Green Day, Carlile, and Bad Bunny used to enter the stadium. When the TV cameras cut to commercials, that’s when they took their places on the field.

Watch their performance below!

After they sang, they walked back out the tunnel, gave high-fives to some new “bush friends,” got on the bus, and were home by the fourth quarter, Murray said.

She said that working with Puth was “a total pleasure.”

“I don’t even think it’s really sunk in how much talent that man has,” she said. “Honestly, the same goes for Brandi. To be sandwiched between two incredible talents was a moment of a lifetime, for sure.”

Intercultural in Guatemala-Mexico

Born and raised in Seattle, Murray attended Seattle Mennonite Church and said she had “a lot of musical influence from growing up there,” but it wasn’t until well after her days at 91����Ƶ that she began getting into music as a performer.

She attended the University of Washington for two years before spending a year in Washington D.C. through Mennonite Voluntary Service. She finished her last two years of her undergraduate degree at 91����Ƶ, graduating in spring 2008.

She credited her intercultural experiences in Guatemala and Mexico as being particularly formative. “That never would’ve happened if 91����Ƶ didn’t require it for its students,” she said. “I think, now more than ever, it’s important to stay connected to the larger world community and value people’s place in it, beyond what can feel convenient or easy.”

After graduating from 91����Ƶ, she participated in Serving and Learning Together (SALT), Mennonite Central Committee’s yearlong, cross-cultural voluntary service program. She also taught English in Guatemala and ran an after-school program in El Salvador before returning to Seattle and plugging into the city’s music scene. She moved to Oakland in November 2022.

Looking back over the past week, Murray said one of the biggest highlights was working with Reed, director of the Sainted Trap Choir, who arranged the background vocals for their rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.

“He’s so talented, and it filled my heart to work closely with him and sing in harmony with such skilled singers,” she said.

Just before wrapping up her speech at the annual Rally in the Valley conference late last month, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed invited the ballroom full of students to pull out their phones and add her cell phone number to their contacts. 

“I’ve always said I would use my platform to provide endless opportunities for those who need me,” said Reed, who serves as director of alumni engagement and community connections at 91����Ƶ. “Some of you are going to need jobs. Text me. Let me know your name and where you’re from. I’ll make sure to get back to you.”

The two-day event, held from March 27-28 at the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center in Harrisonburg, brought together about 200 undergraduate students, faculty and staff from a dozen accredited social work programs across the state. The annual conference is sponsored by the Virginia Social Work Education Consortium (VSWEC) and provides a place for bachelor of social work (BSW) students to network and connect, share resources and ideas, and learn about graduate school and career opportunities in a professional conference milieu. 

Fifteen students and four faculty members from 91����Ƶ’s social work program attended the conference. Among them were three students who collaborated with peers from James Madison University and Virginia Union University to plan and organize the event. The theme of Rally in the Valley 2025 was “Learning Beyond the Classroom.”

In addition to her role as mayor, Reed co-founded On the Road Collaborative, an afterschool program that empowers middle and high school students with educational opportunities and hands-on career experiences. The Harrisonburg-based nonprofit has also provided internships to many social work students over the years. “Social work is not just a profession,” Reed said in her speech welcoming students, faculty, and staff to Harrisonburg. “It is a calling to build and strengthen communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” 

Reed, recently named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia for 2025, was introduced on stage by 91����Ƶ Social Work juniors Abadit Desta and Ekram Siraj, who served on the conference planning committee. The two students participated in On the Road Collaborative as middle schoolers and credited the program with helping them succeed. 

This year marked the first time that students from Blue Ridge Community College attended Rally in the Valley. Students graduating from a community college with an associate’s degree in human services can easily transfer to a school like 91����Ƶ and earn their BSW in two years, said Professor Deanna Durham, director of the social work program at 91����Ƶ. 

A job fair at the conference, featuring representatives from local community service boards, hospitals, the state Department of Corrections, and other employers, gave students an opportunity to learn more about available positions in the workforce. “There are a lot of job openings in mental health right now,” Durham said. “The demand is greater than the supply. What I love is that some corrections programs are leaning into restorative justice, which aligns with the ethics and philosophy of our 91����Ƶ students.”

Students could also meet with admissions counselors from several schools to explore graduate programs. At a table stocked with brochures and resources, Merry Yirga and Lexi Brown from undergraduate admissions worked to spread the word about 91����Ƶ’s offerings. “The conflict transformation program has really been a draw for people looking at master’s degrees,” Brown said.

Through what is called an accelerated or advanced study, BSW graduates from 91����Ƶ can earn their master of social work in just one year if they meet GPA requirements. That’s the result of 91����Ƶ’s full accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education.

91����Ƶ senior Cecilia Rafael Castelan said she was looking forward to attending a pair of workshops, including one focused on budgeting skills for new social workers. Castelan said the conference helps her connect not only with other BSW students from around the state, but also with her own 91����Ƶ classmates. “Since we’re all busy with our practicums, we haven’t had time this semester to debrief as much as we usually do,” she said. “It’ll be nice to spend time with them.”

First held in 1980 at Massanetta Springs in Harrisonburg, Rally in the Valley was created by faculty from JMU and 91����Ƶ. Today, the 13 colleges and universities in the Virginia Social Work Education Consortium take turns planning and hosting the statewide conference. Students attended the 2025 conference from: Blue Ridge Community College, 91����Ƶ, Ferrum College, George Mason University, JMU, Longwood University, Mary Baldwin University, Norfolk State University, Radford University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Union University.

Allen, of Weyers Cave, Virginia, was presented with the award on Friday, March 22, at the NASW chapter’s annual conference in Norfolk. She said it was an honor just to be nominated for the award and was shocked to find out she had won. Joining her at the conference from 91����Ƶ was Professor Carol Hurst.

“I was excited to have one of my professors and my family in the same place because they’ve been there for me and encouraged me along the way,” Allen said.

The 91����Ƶ senior, whose mother is a social worker for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board, said she’s always enjoyed helping others.

This semester through a full-time senior practicum, Allen is working side-by-side with a school social worker and helping students at Riverheads Elementary School become more engaged in their academics. As part of her field placement with Augusta County Public Schools, she meets with kids weekly and works to get them caught up through mentoring, fun activities, academic support and motivation.

The top of their list

Professor Deanna Durham, director of the social work program at 91����Ƶ, said Allen was a unanimous pick from the nomination committee.

“There are three faculty in social work and we all brainstormed about who would be a good person to nominate,” Durham said. “We all had Bri at the top of our list.”

A nomination letter sent to the NASW noted Allen’s engagement in intercultural relationships and her direct work with children and their parents through and the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

“Bri’s leadership and interpersonal strengths stand out,” the letter reads. “She has been a warm and energetic organizer of others.”

It lauds Allen in her ability to lead her softball teammates and social work classmates in service projects. It also notes her positive contributions in class as well as her aptitude for clinical social work practice.

“Brianna Allen is a caring, empathetic social worker and member of NASW who will make an impact on our field,” the letter states.

A rewarding part of the job

Allen said her classes at 91����Ƶ and the support she’s received from professors have prepared her well. 

“I see the things I’ve learned play out in my practicum all the time,” she said.

After graduating from 91����Ƶ in May, Allen will begin an accelerated online program at Virginia Commonwealth University to earn her master’s in social work. As part of the three-semester program, she said she looks forward to being placed in an internship where she can continue making a difference.

“In social work you meet individuals who need help and sometimes don’t know where to start,” Allen said. “Maybe you can’t solve their problems, but you can give them the tools they need. Seeing them take those tools and either turn their life around or change a part they need to work on — that’s really rewarding.”

Small but mighty

91����Ƶ’s social work program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education () since 1976. Only about 15 programs in Virginia, including 91����Ƶ, are fully accredited, Durham said. Thirty-three social work majors make up the program.

While the award received by Allen will draw more attention to the quality of students at 91����Ƶ, Durham said the program has already set itself apart from its peers.

“We’re small but mighty, and we have students who are digging in deep in the profession and contributing amazing energy and creative imagination to our local community,” Durham said. “This will be another time for other programs to look to 91����Ƶ and say, ‘Wow, way to go.’”

91����Ƶ alumnus Akiel Baker ’21 says a turning point in his life came while on a cross-cultural trip to Guatemala during his junior year. Being in a country where he didn’t speak the language or understand the culture was a humbling experience for the Bowie, Maryland, native. 

“I came back a new person,” Baker said. “Before that, I was always doing the bare minimum.”

When he returned to the U.S., his whole approach to college changed. The social work major became more engaged in his coursework and more involved in the 91����Ƶ campus community. He joined clubs such as the Black Student Alliance (BSA), the International Students Organization and the Student Government Association.

As vice president of BSA, Baker was instrumental in bringing the Black Lives Matter mural to life and shaping the creation of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Before graduating with a bachelor of social work degree, he served as senior class president for the Class of 2021 and earned 2021 Cords of Distinction honors. 

“I can honestly say I’ve not had a bad moment at 91����Ƶ,” he said. “Every moment has been enriching, and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.”

Just like 91����Ƶ provided the push he needed to reach his full potential, Baker is helping children reach theirs as a social worker for Harrisonburg City Public Schools. In his role, he connects elementary and middle school students and their families with resources in the schools and community that can help them perform at their very best. One day he’s helping a busy mom with a busted transmission find an organization willing to help her, while another he’s figuring out which special education services a child is eligible for. 

“I love building that human connection and assuring parents they’re not just a number within Harrisonburg City Public Schools… that they’re actually cared for and that we want the best for them,” Baker said.

That feeling he gives the families he works with is the same feeling he got when he visited 91����Ƶ for the first time. He said he had been accepted to both 91����Ƶ and James Madison University, but the latter felt too big and didn’t offer the same sense of community. 

“Everyone here was super nice and welcoming,” Baker said. “I love human connection and that’s something that feels central to 91����Ƶ.”

After graduating in 2021, Baker served as residence director at 91����Ƶ for two years and worked as a site coordinator for , a Harrisonburg-based nonprofit dedicated to closing the learning gap and empowering youth. He earned a master’s degree in social work from West Virginia University in 2023.

Baker said he participates in Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day to give back to the school that’s given so much to him.

“I want people to have the same enriching experiences I had,” he said. “I want to see 91����Ƶ grow and will continue giving back to keep it growing.”

Join generous donors like Baker who give back to 91����Ƶ to help students pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Be a part of our 8th annual Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future 91����Ƶ students. Let’s build 91����Ƶ “Stronger Together.”

Read the previous profiles in our Why they Lov91����Ƶ series: