Due to her experience in leadership roles on campus, Simms said the Blue Hen value that resonates most with her is mentorship. 

“Mentorship is the value that lives closest to my heart,” she said. “I have been surrounded by people who have guided me, offered wisdom and reminded me that I don’t have to figure everything out alone. That spirit of care has shaped me, and I now have been able to pass that on. Whether as a resident assistant or through AFROTC, holding space for others and lifting them up has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. It’s a full-circle kind of magic.”

Currently, Simms is in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) and was nominated for the award by Detachment 128 for her dedication in and out of the program. 

“I couldn’t be more grateful,” she said. “I felt a quiet pride — like something inside me stood up a little taller. More than anything, I felt gratitude for all the individuals who are rooting for me, and saw something worthy in my efforts. This award feels like a shared win, and a soft confirmation that I’m right where I’m meant to be.”

When she learned she won the Seitz Award, Simms said the first person she told was her boyfriend, Thor. 

“Thor often tells me that he sees the effort I put into everything and has this calm affirming way of reminding me that what I do is worth sharing,” Simms said. “Telling him first felt natural. We’re often told we make a great team, and in moments like this, I know it to be true.”

Simms plans on putting the $1,500 award toward paying her tuition. 

“Taking on the full responsibility of paying for my education has been a challenge I’ve met with discipline and determination, and this award helps lighten that load,” she said.

After graduation, Simms hopes to serve as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and to eventually own a farm and operate a small café or eatery on the property. 

As a resident assistant in South Academy last year, Simms was inspired by her experience working in a restaurant (and her class lab in the UDairy Creamery Genuardi Food Innovation Lab) to design an ice cream theme for her wing, earning recognition for her sweet floor decor.

“Since I was 16, I’ve worked as an assistant manager at a small restaurant in Pennsylvania, and that experience sparked a deep love for both food and people and the comfort that happens when the two come together,” Simms said. “That connection between nourishment and the unity of people is something that I will always carry with me.”

For fellow Blue Hens who aspire to win the Seitz Award, Simms offers some words of advice. 

“Stay steady in who you are and disciplined in how you show up. The little things like your consistency, your care and your willingness to support others, those things will matter more than you know,” said Simms. “This award isn’t just about a single accomplishment, but a pattern of effort, heart and presence. Celebrate others, stay kind and keep growing with intention. The recognition will come, but the real reward is the person you become and the friends you gain along the way.”

About the award

The fund for the George and Margaret Collins Seitz Award was established in 1954 at UD by Margaret Seitz to honor the memory of her mother and father. This annual recognition, which includes a $1,500 award, is presented to a first-year or second-year student who exemplifies outstanding character by demonstrating and encouraging in others the We Are Blue Hen values of respect, openness, innovation, engagement and mentorship. Nominations are collected through the end of March each year. For more information, please visit the award website, administered by UD’s Division of Student Life.