Donna Sims: A Legacy of Faithfulness and Excellence

After four decades of service, Donna Sims will retire from Second Baptist School, leaving behind a legacy defined by wisdom, prayer, and purpose. For 39 years, she has faithfully served our school community - first as a beloved seventh grade English teacher for 14 years and for the past 25 years as the Associate Director of College Guidance.

From pen and paper to digital platforms, Donna has witnessed - and helped shape - the evolution of the college application process at SBS. Her earliest days in college guidance included manually preparing and mailing individual application packets for every student, photocopying stamped postmarks to ensure timeliness. Her attention to detail was unmatched, but even more impressive has been the care and love she poured into every step of the journey.

Donna’s heart for students shines brightest in her approach to letters of recommendation. Every letter she writes for an SBS senior is deeply personal - prayerfully crafted to reflect not just the student’s accomplishments, but the unique gifts God has placed within them. She goes far beyond the transcript, meeting with teachers, gathering insight from family, and listening closely to students themselves. But she doesn’t stop there. Before a letter is sent for the college application process, Donna instills in each student the importance of honor and gratitude, requiring a handwritten thank you note to the teachers who contributed time and effort in writing a recommendation. Through this, Donna doesn’t just prepare students for college - she shapes their character, modeling humility, reverence, and a heart of thankfulness.

“Because each student is made imago dei, I am called to present each student as uniquely gifted by the Creator,” Donna shared. “In writing my letters, I always pray from Psalm 45 that my pen ‘would be the pen of a skillful writer.’”

Alongside her work with students, Donna has hosted numerous, growing College Days, taught college guidance study halls, and prayed over each student, event, and essay. Her leadership has not only shaped a successful college guidance program but has also deeply impacted the spiritual and emotional lives of our students.

“Mrs. Sims’ constant prayer, wisdom, and care throughout the college application process had a profound impact on me,” said College Guidance Fellow Ella Allen ’25. “Her prayers gave me peace when I felt overwhelmed and reminded me that I wasn't walking through that stressful season alone.”
College Guidance Fellow Bridget Roth ’25 shared a similar experience, reflecting on Mrs. Sims’ steady presence throughout the process: “She was always helpful for any need I had through the difficult and stressful application process... and she always inspired me to put my best effort into everything I do, even the small things.”

Her colleague, College Guidance Director Amy St. Denis, said it best: “Donna Sims has done such a beautiful job of demanding excellence of our students ensuring that when they graduate and go on to their next calling, they know to expect excellence in themselves.”

In her farewell remarks to the Class of 2025, Donna issues a majestic call: “You have been called by your Creator to live lives so distinct from the culture that others will take note and be drawn to Him… You have been given majestic marching orders… may you victoriously fulfill His mission for you.”

As we honor Donna Sims' unmistakable impact on Second Baptist School, we do so with full hearts, knowing her impact will echo through generations of SBS students and families. Her faithful legacy and lasting influence embody the mission of Second Baptist School—to think critically, live biblically, and lead courageously to impact the world for Jesus Christ.