The National Association of Realtors contacted us to help them find someone
to sing the National Anthem to open their 2006 conference held in New Orleans.
After much discussion, we came up with the idea of having an inner city youth choir sing it. It was the
perfect idea.
McDonough #35 High School students were chosen for the task. Led by choir director Veronica Downs-Dorsey, they
did an OUTSTANDING job. Approximately 5,000 attendees gave them a standing ovation and applauded so furiously they interrupted
the ending of the song only to applaude again. The kids got three rounds of applause for one song.
It was amazing! I can't tell you how proud it made me to be a resident of New Orleans.
- Deanna Bernard, President
