Maddie Sims’ journey from aspiring writer to newspaper leader

In her senior year at Lamar University, Maddie Sims serves as the editor of the Lamar University Press, a position that started with her passion for writing and desire to get involved with the campus newspaper. Over the years, she's developed into a strong leader, guiding the paper through the challenges left by the pandemic. Under her leadership, the newspaper has grown in both staff and influence.

"I've always liked to write," Sims said. "When I was little, I would write stories on little sheets of paper, fold them into books, and staple them together. I loved being creative. Anytime we had a short story assignment in school, I’d be so excited. I’d think, ‘Yes, I get to create for a grade!’ It was the best.”

Her early passion for writing was evident even in middle school. "I remember in seventh or eighth grade, we were assigned a spooky Halloween short story. I think I was the only one who actually had a full, proper story—beginning, middle, and end," she said. "I was so shy about reading it in front of everyone, but then people kept saying, ‘Wow, this is so good!’ That validation made me feel like maybe writing was something I could actually do."

Her creative journey didn't stop there. During her high school years, Maddie was deeply involved in UIL journalism competitions, where she honed her skills in news writing and headline creation. Despite her early struggles, including a critique in which she was told she wrote “too factual” for feature stories, Maddie excelled in news writing.

"I remember in my senior year of high school, I placed second in a news writing competition. I made it to the regional level, and that was the farthest I’d gotten. I was proud of that."

When Sims arrived at Lamar University, her path seemed clear: she was going to pursue journalism, and she was eager to get involved with the Lamar University Press right away.

“I joined the first week of my freshman year. I was excited because I had already been involved in journalism in high school, so I knew that this was what I wanted to do,” she said.

However, the paper wasn’t as bustling as it had been before the pandemic. “Before the pandemic, the paper came out regularly. There was a Features page on Fridays, an Opinion page on Wednesdays. It was buzzing, lots of people there all the time. But when I got here, it felt like everything had stopped. People were gone. There were a lot of seniors who had graduated, and the staff had been reduced to a skeleton crew.”

Undeterred by the challenges ahead, Maddie dove headfirst into the rebuilding process. She started as a contributor, eventually rising through the ranks as she proved her dedication to the paper.

"At first, I was just helping out where I could. I'd sell raffle tickets at events, help clean up, anything to be involved," she remembers. “I didn’t mind the unpaid work. I wanted to be there. It wasn’t about the money. It was about being a part of something bigger.”

Her hard work caught the attention of her mentor, Andy Coughlan, the Lamar University Press advisor. “Andy saw my dedication,” Sims said. “He told me, ‘You’re good, but you’re not great yet. But if you keep working hard, you could be editor one day.’”

Maddie took his words to heart. Over the next few years, she became more involved, learning the ropes of editing, story assignment, and working with a small but growing team. Eventually, Andy’s prediction came true: Maddie became editor of the newspaper.

“It felt amazing,” she admits. “It’s cool to be the top dog of the newspaper. I assign stories, help people write, and edit their work, but Andy always gives everything a final look before we publish. His feedback is invaluable.”

But the role of editor came with its own set of challenges. As the head of a small staff, Maddie has had to balance leadership with the practicalities of managing a tight team.

“I’m such a pushover sometimes,” she said. “It’s hard for me to be mean or pushy with people, but I’ve learned that sometimes you have to be a little bit. Andy has been my rock, reminding me that it’s okay to be firm when people need it. He’d say, ‘You can be a bit mean. Be a bit hard on them—they need it.’”

Maddie’s leadership style is grounded in her desire to help others grow, both as writers and as professionals. “I want to be the kind of leader who supports my team, who helps them get better, but also holds them accountable. It’s all about making sure the work gets done.”

The Lamar University Press has grown significantly since Maddie became editor, both in staff numbers and output. One of her proudest moments came when her opinion piece on book banning was selected as an example of strong writing in one of Andy’s classes.

“I recently wrote an opinion piece about book banning and why it’s harmful. I turned it around quickly, and Andy read it. Then he used it in Dr. Michalski’s class as an example of strong writing. Afterward, he said, ‘Kudos to you, Maddie, for that extra little piece.’ It felt amazing to hear that. I guess I didn’t expect that kind of recognition.”

Despite the struggles, Maddie continues to be passionate about her work. "I think I’ll always love writing. Even in journalism, there’s still room for creativity. The rules are there, but you can still be creative within them."

As she reflects on her journey, from her early days of folding paper books to leading a university newspaper, Maddie’s pride is evident. “It’s been hard work, but it’s been so worth it. Watching the paper grow, seeing my team succeed—it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”

Looking ahead, Maddie is excited about what the future holds, not only for her own career but for the Lamar University Press as well. “I want the paper to keep growing. I want us to keep doing meaningful work, to keep telling important stories. And I want the next generation of editors to come in and take the paper even further.”

For Maddie, the journey from eager freshman to confident editor has been a rewarding one—a testament to her hard work, her love for writing, and her commitment to helping others find their voices. As she prepares to graduate, Maddie knows that her time at Lamar has shaped her into a leader, a writer, and a mentor.

“I didn’t know exactly what I was getting into when I first joined the paper,” she reflects. “But it’s been an incredible journey. It’s been hard, but that’s what makes it worth it.