 In 1884, at the age of 23, Alice was sent by Faith Haines of the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church, to the territory of New Mexico to begin her missionary service.The first school was a dark, poorly ventilated room in the house of Doña Antonia Montaño.Although the school was initially for boys only, Alice Hyson was able to reach girls as well by establishing a sewing class.