25 LC 112 2765 House Resolution 115 By: Representative Lupton of the 83 rd A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Juana P. Alzaga; and for other purposes. 1 WHEREAS, Juana P. Alzaga began her distinguished teaching career in 1978, establishing2 orchestra programs at Miami Edison Middle School and High School in Miami, Florida; and3 WHEREAS, in 1985, she joined Gwinnett County Schools and developed orchestra4 programs at Pinckneyville Middle School, Summerour Middle School, and Norcross High5 School; and6 WHEREAS, she conducted the Gwinnett County Festival Orchestra from 1988 to 1994 and7 later served as conductor of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, associate8 conductor of the Emory Junior Chamber Orchestra, and a visiting orchestra director at the9 Paideia School; and10 WHEREAS, Juana P. Alzaga pursued advanced training as a violinist and conductor at the11 North Carolina Conductors' Institute and the Juilliard Conductor's Institute, later becoming12 a sought-after clinician and adjudicator for many music organizations in metro Atlanta; and13 H. R. 115 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2765 WHEREAS, in April 2021, she founded the Buford Highway Orchestra Project (BHOP) as 14 a pilot program with 10 students, which has since grown to serve 55 young musicians from15 19 DeKalb County schools; and16 WHEREAS, the BHOP provides after-school and weekend enrichment opportunities for17 disadvantaged students from third to eighth grade who reside in the Buford Highway18 Corridor, giving them access to music education and fostering skills, parent involvement, and19 community-wide engagement; and20 WHEREAS, Juana P. Alzaga has received numerous accolades for her contributions to music21 education, including the 2022 Georgia ASTA Lifetime Achievement Award and the 202322 Telemundo Community Hero Award; and23 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this24 remarkable and distinguished individual be appropriately recognized.25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that26 the members of this body recognize and commend Juana P. Alzaga for her decades of27 contributions on behalf of the youth of this state and beyond as well as extend the most28 sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized30 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Juana31 P. Alzaga.32 H. R. 115 - 2 -