Mayor McDonald’s Vision May Come to Life: Alamogordo May Launch First-Ever Youth Commission

For the first time in Alamogordo’s history, high school students may have a formal seat at the table where city decisions are made. The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission (MYAC), if approved by the City Commission on July 28, represents a bold new vision for civic engagement from Mayor Sharon McDonald—one that recognizes young people not as the future, but as essential voices for today.

“Step up. Speak out. Help shape Alamogordo’s future,” the program’s motto says. It’s an invitation that reflects McDonald’s conviction that meaningful change requires hearing from all generations, especially those who will live with the decisions made today for decades to come.

A Mayor’s Mission to Hear Youth Voices

Mayor McDonald has made youth engagement a centerpiece of her leadership. The MYAC represents the culmination of months of planning and reflects her belief that local government must actively seek out the perspectives, energy, and idealism that young people bring to community problem-solving.

“This is not just another program,” McDonald said in promoting the initiative. “This is about recognizing that our teenagers have valuable insights about what matters to them and to our community. When we listen to youth, we make better decisions.”

The MYAC is designed with genuine power-sharing in mind. These won’t be student representatives sitting silently in the back of city chambers. Instead, 16 youth commissioners—selected from Alamogordo high schools and NMSU-A—will hold elected leadership positions, run their own meetings, manage their own budget, and directly advise the Mayor on issues affecting their generation and the broader community.

Breaking New Ground

Alamogordo joins a growing national movement of cities that are investing in youth civic participation. But for this community, the MYAC represents uncharted territory. No previous mayor or commission has created such a formal, structured platform for youth voice in municipal governance.

“What makes this groundbreaking is not just that we’re inviting young people to participate,”… “It’s that we’re giving them real responsibility, real leadership, and real authority to shape priorities and drive projects,” explained Shelley Dowhanik-Baron, Community Development Director for the City of Alamogordo along with Co-Chair Vesta Sherrie Edmonds as the citizen advocate leader who led the initiative’s development phased 

The commission will consist of:

• 3 commissioners each from grades 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12

• 1 representative from NMSU-A

• Youth-elected officers including Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Media Coordinator

• Monthly meetings run by the students themselves, following Robert’s Rules of Order

Listening to the Next Generation

McDonald’s commitment to hearing from youth comes at a critical time. Across the country, young people are increasingly vocal about issues affecting them—mental health, climate change, education quality, economic opportunity, social justice, and their role in shaping their communities. The MYAC provides a structured channel for Alamogordo’s teenagers to voice these concerns directly to city leadership.

“Young people have ideas,” McDonald emphasized. “They understand technology, social media, and modern communication in ways we don’t. They have perspectives on public safety, recreation, economic development, and environmental issues that can genuinely improve how we govern.”

The program’s design reflects this philosophy. Rather than asking youth to simply advise on pre-determined issues, MYAC commissioners will identify their own priorities and propose projects aligned with their concerns.

Building Civic Leaders Today

Beyond the immediate community service and advisory functions, the MYAC serves a larger purpose: building a generation of engaged citizens. By giving teenagers meaningful roles in local government now, Alamogordo is investing in future voters, volunteers, board members, and leaders.

Research shows that young people who participate in civic engagement at the high school level are significantly more likely to remain civically active throughout their lives. They’re more likely to vote, volunteer, and run for office as adults.

“We’re not just asking our young people to clean up parks and volunteer at food banks—though those are important,” McDonald noted. “We’re teaching them how local government works, how to lead meetings, manage budgets, and advocate for change. We’re preparing them to be the leaders Alamogordo needs in 2030, 2040, and beyond.”

What MYAC Will Do

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission will operate through both direct service and advocacy:

Service Projects:

• Community clean-ups and beautification efforts

• Food, toy, and school supply drives

• Senior center and animal shelter support

• Youth forums on issues like bullying, mental health, and youth-police relations

• Support for local events and community organizations

Civic Engagement:

• Advisory input on municipal issues and planning (such as the upcoming Comprehensive Master Plan)

• “Careers in Local Government” day for younger students

• Tours of municipal facilities and offices

• Participation in City Commission meetings

• Youth Lobby Day at the State Capitol

Leadership Development:

• Workshops on government, financial literacy, public speaking, media literacy, and advocacy

• Guest speakers from city departments, nonprofits, businesses, and Holloman Air Force Base

• Mentorship from city staff and community leaders

• Real budget and project management experience

The Details

The MYAC will meet monthly on the second Monday from 4:45 to 6:00 p.m. at Dudley School Community Center. The program carries a modest first-year budget of $3,100 for marketing, recruitment, supplies, training, and meeting support.

Importantly, the city’s commitment extends beyond dollars. The City Commission has pledged to:

• Support broad recruitment of commissioners and mentors

• Encourage schools, businesses, and community organizations to participate

• Promote youth voice in municipal decisions

• Receive annual reports and presentations from commissioners

Applications will be accepted through August 24, 2026, at www.alamogordo.gov/MYAC.

Selected youth commissioners will be sworn in at the September 8 City Commission meeting, with the inaugural meeting scheduled for September 14.

There are no experience requirements. The program seeks to represent diverse youth voices, welcoming students interested in leadership, service, government, or any aspect of community life.

A Model for the Future?

McDonald’s vision for the MYAC extends beyond its immediate impact. City officials hope the program becomes a model for youth engagement that could be replicated in schools, nonprofits, and other organizations throughout Alamogordo and beyond.

“If this works—and we believe it will—we’re showing other communities that young people are ready and willing to help govern,” an external youth advocate said. “We’re not talking about youth advisory commissions as something we might do someday. This city is about doing it right now.”

The timing is deliberate. With Alamogordo facing important decisions about housing development, air service, economic growth, and quality of life, McDonald wanted youth perspectives at the table.

“These young people will inherit the decisions we’re making today about water security, trails, economic development, and community character,” the Mayor noted. “It only makes sense to have their voices heard in those decisions right now and how to expand services and better engage youth in the future.”

Why It Matters

The MYAC reflects a fundamental shift in how Alamogordo views its young residents. Rather than seeing them as passive recipients of adult decisions, the city is recognizing them as active stakeholders in their community’s future.

For students, the benefits are significant:

• Real leadership experience and elected responsibilities

• Hands-on learning about municipal government

• Community service hours for college applications and scholarships

• Direct access to city officials and decision-makers

• Mentorship and skill-building in communication, advocacy, and problem-solving

For Alamogordo, the benefits are equally important:

• Fresh perspectives on community challenges

• Increased youth participation in civic life

• Service projects addressing real community needs

• Stronger connection between city government and the next generation

• A pipeline of engaged citizens who understand and care about their community

Looking Forward

The MYAC launch represents just the beginning of Mayor McDonald’s effort to deepen youth engagement. Applications open August 12, with the deadline set for August 24. Recruitment materials are being distributed to schools, community centers, and online through the city’s website and social media.

For teenagers wondering if their voice matters, if city leaders actually want to hear from them, the MYAC sends a clear message: yes.

“This is for the young person who cares about their community but wasn’t sure how to get involved,” advocates suggest“This is for the student who has ideas about how to make Alamogordo better. This is for anyone in grades 8-12 who wants to learn, lead, and make a difference.”

The Commission selecting 16 youth commissioners will be Alamogordo’s newest civic leaders, answerable to the Mayor and the commission, accountable to their peers, and responsible for representing the voice of youth in city government.

It’s a responsibility they’ll now have the chance to accept.

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