Barbara Kitzman, legal assistant study sophomore from New Orleans and Ellender Residence Hall assistant house director, will sing the national anthem at the Superbowl’s pre-game show on Sunday with Mariah Carey and Paul McCartney. Kitzman, who has been delegated as Louisiana Soldier of the Year, was chosen by the commander of her unit in the Army National Guard to participate in the event. Kitzman was notified three weeks ago that she was chosen. This will not be the first time that Kitzman has performed in front of an audience.

“They had a tape of me singing the national anthem at my basic training graduation, and that is how they picked me,” she said.

During graduation, Kitzman sang for about 10,000 people.

“I want to do this for a living. I actually want to be a singer. This is really going to be a great experience for me, I am really looking forward to it,” she said.

Kitzman said she will attend a seven-hour pratice at the Superdome Thursday to perfect going on stage, getting off the stage at the right time and to find out exactly what role she will take in the production.

Along with Kitzman, 10 people from each branch of the United States Military will also participate. She said she will find out Thursday if she will be singing a solo for the show.

“It feels good. I feel honored. A lot of people have been asking me about it,” she said.