2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 155
BY SENATOR PETERSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Veronica L. Downs-Dorsey on twenty-five years of teaching vocal music at
McDonogh 35 Senior High School and on thirty-five years as an educator in the
Orleans Parish school system.
WHEREAS, Veronica L. Downs-Dorsey, lovingly called "Ms. V" is a lifelong
resident of New Orleans and a staple in the gospel music community; and
WHEREAS, her early years were spent in a warm Christian environment with
positive role models and achievers from whom she drew inspiration and encouragement; and
WHEREAS, her musical talents and leadership were nurtured at St. Monica Catholic
Church and at the tender age of fourteen, Ms. V directed her first choir, The Golden
Emeralds, at Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, Ms. V graduated from McDonogh 35 Senior High School in 1974, and
earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Xavier University in New Orleans and a Master
of Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond; and
WHEREAS, she has been an educator in the Orleans Parish school system for the
past thirty-five years and the choral music teacher at McDonogh 35 Senior High School for
the past twenty-five years; and
WHEREAS, the choir at McDonogh 35 Senior High School, commonly called the
Singing Roneagles, is historically renowned as having been the first high school gospel choir
to assemble in the city of New Orleans and the first high school gospel choir to perform at
the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, having performed in the gospel tent every year
since their first performance; and
WHEREAS, under Ms. V's direction and leadership, the Singing Roneagles have
received numerous nominations and accepted their Best of the Beat Awards from Offbeat
Magazine for Best Gospel Group for the second consecutive year during a gala held at
Generations Hall on January 21, 2016; and
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WHEREAS, Ms. V is the past director of the New Orleans Gospel Soul Children and
currently leads the Voices of Peter Claver, the main gospel choir of St. Peter Claver Catholic
Church; and
WHEREAS, she is a member of The New Orleans Black Chorale, where she serves
as its principal pianist, and is also a member of Tyrone Foster and the Arc Singers, the
Davell Crawford Singers, and the New Orleans Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of
America, Inc., and is co-director of the Archdiocesan Mass Choir; and
WHEREAS, Ms. V received the 2015 Trailblazer Award at the NOLA Gospel
Awards and was honored in 2016 by the New Orleans City Council in recognition of
Women's History Month; and
WHEREAS, Veronica L. Downs-Dorsey is an artist who demonstrates her talents as
a performer, soloist, director, instructor, organist, and pianist for all to enjoy; and
WHEREAS, her love for gospel music, her students, and her Creator make her a
positive role model, whose attributes strengthen her church, her students, her community,
and the state of Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Veronica L. "Ms. V" Downs-Dorsey on twenty-five glorious years
of teaching choral music at McDonogh 35 Senior High School and on thirty-five years of
tireless dedication and guidance to students in the Orleans Parish school system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Veronica L. Downs-Dorsey.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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