Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission holds first meeting

ALAMOGORDO — Alamogordo's newest advisory body met for the first time Monday night and its members wasted little time telling city leaders what matters to them.

The Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission (MYAC) gathered for a little over an hour at the Dudley Community Center. The commission includes 16 student participants and nine adult mentors, according to Mayor Sharon McDonald. Youth commissioners and mentors opened the meeting with brief introductions.

McDonald welcomed the group, calling them "an incredible group of young people."

Eileen Flint, of the city then gave a presentation on the need for citizen input as the city develops its new comprehensive plan, the long-range document that guides growth and development. Students were asked what they would like to see in Alamogordo's future.

Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, former acting city manager, served as meeting facilitator after Flint's presentation. She told the students the commission will follow the New Mexico Open Meetings Act and walked them through a few basic procedures from Robert's Rules of Order.

The students put those rules to use right away. One of their first motions was to hold elections for the commission's executive members at the next meeting rather than at this one.

While mentors and staff asked occasional questions, the students did not hesitate to raise issues or ask questions of their own. Hernandez took notes as they spoke, and at least a couple of items are already set for the next agenda.

When asked what they hoped to gain from MYAC, students cited leadership, public speaking, and learning how city government works and how decisions are made.

When asked about their concerns, safety came first. Students raised safety for young drivers on city streets, substance abuse in schools and consequences for those who supply substances to children. They also discussed the need for safe places where young people can study, socialize and spend time after school, noting that not every student has the same home environment. The group had already begun talking about obstacles, including funding and how to make existing spaces safer.

"What impressed me most was that not one student approached the conversation from a selfish perspective," McDonald said. "They were advocating for their classmates, younger students, and people they may never meet."

McDonald said the commission is meant to put students in the lead.

"This isn't about adults telling kids what to do or deciding what matters to them. It's about kids telling adults what matters to THEM," she said. "Our role as mentors is to provide guidance, resources, and support, not dictate their priorities."

Near the end of the meeting, one student asked, "But how do we get people to listen to us?"

McDonald said the question both hurt and encouraged her.

"It hurts knowing some of our young people feel unheard, but it gives me tremendous hope that they WANT to participate," she said. "We often say our children are our future. But they are also our citizens TODAY."

As one mentor noted, first meetings are always a little awkward and slow. But conversations have already started among students and between students, the mayor and city staff about youth issues and possible projects. The future is bright with youth engagement and all left optimistic about a new voice being heard at city hall. 

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