Allen, of Weyers Cave, Virginia, was presented with the award on Friday, March 22, at the NASW chapter鈥檚 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 黑料正能量 was Professor Carol Hurst.

鈥淚 was excited to have one of my professors and my family in the same place because they鈥檝e been there for me and encouraged me along the way,鈥� Allen said.

The 黑料正能量 senior, whose mother is a social worker for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board, said she鈥檚 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 黑料正能量, said Allen was a unanimous pick from the nomination committee.

鈥淭here are three faculty in social work and we all brainstormed about who would be a good person to nominate,鈥� Durham said. 鈥淲e all had Bri at the top of our list.鈥�

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

鈥淏ri鈥檚 leadership and interpersonal strengths stand out,鈥� the letter reads. 鈥淪he has been a warm and energetic organizer of others.鈥�

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.

鈥淏rianna Allen is a caring, empathetic social worker and member of NASW who will make an impact on our field,鈥� the letter states.

A rewarding part of the job

Allen said her classes at 黑料正能量 and the support she鈥檚 received from professors have prepared her well. 

鈥淚 see the things I鈥檝e learned play out in my practicum all the time,鈥� she said.

After graduating from 黑料正能量 in May, Allen will begin an accelerated online program at Virginia Commonwealth University to earn her master鈥檚 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.

鈥淚n social work you meet individuals who need help and sometimes don’t know where to start,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淢aybe you can鈥檛 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 鈥� that鈥檚 really rewarding.鈥�

Small but mighty

黑料正能量鈥檚 social work program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education () since 1976. Only about 15 programs in Virginia, including 黑料正能量, 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 黑料正能量, Durham said the program has already set itself apart from its peers.

鈥淲e’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,鈥� Durham said. 鈥淭his will be another time for other programs to look to 黑料正能量 and say, 鈥榃ow, way to go.鈥欌��