Alamogordo Mayor Sharon McDonald Visits Mountain View Middle School on ‘Be Here Day’ to Inspire Future Leaders

Alamogordo, New Mexico – February 11, 2026 – Alamogordo’s newly sworn-in Mayor Sharon McDonald made a special appearance today at Mountain View Middle School (MVMS) as part of the district’s “Be Here Day” initiative, engaging directly with students to highlight the value of local government, leadership, and staying committed to education.

The visit, hosted in Mrs. Clay’s Career Exploration class, saw Mayor McDonald sharing insights into her role and daily responsibilities as mayor. She emphasized the critical importance of local government in shaping community life and encouraged the young Jaguars to consider public service as a pathway to making a positive impact. Students had the opportunity to learn firsthand about civic leadership, asking questions and gaining a deeper understanding of how decisions at the city level affect everyday residents.

Mayor Sharon McDonald encouraging youth engagement

“Be Here Day,” observed districtwide on Wednesday, February 11, aimed for 100% student attendance under the #BeHereAlamo and #AttendanceMatters campaign. The day celebrated commitment to education, with no school scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Monday, creating an extended weekend. MVMS marked the occasion with motivational activities, including raffle prizes and messages urging students to “Be Here Day!” and stay engaged in their futures.

Mayor McDonald, who became Alamogordo’s first African American mayor and the first African American to be elected by the voters as mayor in New Mexico when she was sworn in earlier this year, used the platform to inspire the next generation. She emphasized volunteerism and hard work to earn a position of respect.  Her visit aligned with broader efforts to connect youth with community leaders and highlight career opportunities in public service, aerospace, mathematics, medicine, and other fields vital to the city’s future.

School staff and students expressed gratitude for the mayor’s time and encouragement. “What a great opportunity for our students to learn firsthand about leadership and public service! Thank you, Mayor McDonald, for inspiring our Jaguars!” noted a school announcement.

Mayor Sharon McDonald Alamogordo inspiring students at Mountain View Middle School

The event underscores ongoing community initiatives to foster civic awareness among middle schoolers and Mayor McDonalds commitment to engage with youth to encourage broader participation into community building all the while supporting “Be Here Day” as a fun yet meaningful way to promote attendance and long-term educational goals for a more enlightened Alamogordo. 

Citations:

• Mountain View Middle School official Facebook page (February 11, 2026 post on Mayor McDonald’s visit and Be Here Day).

• Alamogordo Public Schools events calendar and related announcements (Be Here Day details, February 11, 2026).

• Background on Mayor Sharon McDonald: Santa Fe New Mexican (January 23, 2026); 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News (January 2026 coverage).

More News from Alamogordo

• Otero County Commission Update  Sheriff Black Delivers Detailed Report, Patriot Point MRA Public Hearing Advances Otero County Commission meeting overview...
• Alamogordo Seeks Public Input on Major Rewrite of Subdivision Ordinance Public participation is needed join the discussion…