Students Celebrate Milan

MILAN, N.M. –

On May 16 the Village of Milan opened its doors to teach the children of Milan Elementary about the work they do. The annual event brings the government hall of Milan, the police department, fire department, carrot express, and sometimes the village road department together in a learning opportunity for Milan’s youth.

Together, the Village showcases unity. With a visit from Mayor Felix Gonzales, Trustees Vivian Brumbelow and Chris Archuleta, and the Milan Carrot, students had the opportunity to rub shoulders with Milan’s big wigs.

MFD brought a firetruck and showed students the tools and sirens equipped on the truck, with safety tips and a quiz about how to prevent fires. The Rockin’ 66 Express brought a bus and talked to students about the importance of public transportation, showing them some of the specialties like the ADA compliant wheelchair raiser.

MPD took students for a tour through the police building. Sergeant Joe Galindo spoke to students about the importance of public safety. Trustee Archuleta even offered to be arrested as a demonstration. With the help of two students acting as police officers, Chief Carl Ustupski handcuffed Archuleta before uncuffing him and talking to students about the importance of not getting into trouble. Before leaving the building, students stopped at the entrance way of MPD where Sgt. Galindo explained to students that police officers are here to protect them, not arrest them.

Students then had the opportunity to travel through the Milan government building and learn about the jobs in different departments. Students had a crash course in municipal government, where they learned about how projects like baseball parks and basketball courts get started, funded, voted on, and eventually built.

The Milan Board of Trustees chipped in money to provide lunches from Sonic for the students who were wore out after a busy morning of walking and learning.