Publication
Magus Mabus, Milton's Official Art/Literary Magazine
Editor-in-Chief 2026-2027
Literature Editor 2025-2026
The Milton Measure, Milton's Official School Newspaper
Senior Editor 2026-2027
Investigations Editor & Coordinator 2026-2027
Opinion Editor 2025-2026
Opinion Writer & News Writer 2023-2025
Fall/Winter Cycle 2025: The Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest - Gold Medal (Global Top 3 Percent)
Read Paper (PDF)
"Guardians Without Sovereignty: Indigenous Rights and the State-Centric Governance of the Arctic"
This paper examines how the state-centric structure of international law systematically marginalizes Arctic Indigenous peoples, despite frameworks like UNDRIP that claim to protect their rights. It argues that combining a human rights–pluralist approach to consultation with the legal recognition of Indigenous peoples as guardians of their territories can help close the gap between procedural inclusion and meaningful decision-making power in Arctic governance.
Bisbee Award - History Research
Bisbee Prize Winners (PDF)
Read Full Research Paper (PDF)
"The Forgotten Irish Soldiers of the Civil War"
Although Irish Americans showed enthusiasm for the Union by fighting in the Civil War, because these soldiers were mistreated by Union authorities, not appreciated by native-born Americans, and overshadowed by distorted media portrayals of the New York City draft rioters, their military participation did not reduce nativist sentiments against Irish immigrants
Persky Award 2025
- Best Opinion Article
Milton Academy - Persky Awards Honor the BestView
Award Certificate (Image)Read Full Article (PDF)
"Let Students Take Six Full Courses a Year to Make Space for the Arts"
An opinion piece advocating for Milton Academy to allow students to take six full courses per year, with the sixth course being arts-related. The article argues that arts courses provide essential stress relief and mental health benefits, while current course limits force students to sacrifice their artistic passions.
Through interviews with faculty including Performing Arts Chair Eleza Kort and Visual Arts Chair Jennifer Hughes, along with student perspectives and a survey showing 87.2% of students supporting this change, the article makes a compelling case for expanding course options to nurture both academic and artistic growth.
Persky Award 2026
- Best News Story
"Speech & Debate Juniors Cite Time Commitment, Team Environment as Reasons for Mass Departure"
An investigative article examining why nearly half of the junior members departed from Milton's Speech & Debate Team within two months of the 2025–2026 school year. Through surveys and interviews, the article explores the tensions between demanding tournament requirements and students' other commitments, as well as concerns about team culture and coaching style.
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: 2 Gold & 2 Silver Keys (2026), 2 Silver Keys (2025)
View 2026 Award List (Command + F and Search "Elizabeth Sim")
2026 Gold Key Certificate for Short Story2026 Gold Key Certificate for Critical Essay2026 Silver Key Certificate for Poetry2026 Silver Key Certificate for Poetry2025 Silver Key Certificate for Poetry2025 Silver Key Certificate for Poetry2025 Silver Key Certificate for Poetry
Articles for The Milton Measure, Milton's Official School Newspaper
An article addressing the lack of disability awareness at Milton and calling attention to the long-neglected accessibility issues at the Student Center, including a malfunctioning automatic door button that made it difficult for wheelchair users to enter.
After this article was published, I personally followed up with faculty members to advocate for the repair. As a result, the button at the Student Center was actually fixed—demonstrating the real-world impact that journalism can have when paired with persistent advocacy.
"Changes Within School Schedule Cause Complaint"
An investigative article addressing issues with the school schedule—specifically the problematic arrangement of club time blocks. Through interviews with both students and faculty, the article proposed more convenient scheduling solutions for everyone.
Following the publication of this article, the school schedule was actually improved, demonstrating the power of student journalism to create meaningful change.
A feature article shining a light on an unsung hero at Milton—Cory Butler, the Manager of Events who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make every school event possible. From Family Weekend to Graduation, she coordinates countless teams while knowing every corner of the 130-acre campus by heart.
This piece reminds us to notice and appreciate those whose quiet, dedicated work often goes unrecognized but makes our daily experience possible.
An opinion piece on the importance of the Korea-US alliance, written in the wake of South Korea's December 2024 martial law crisis. The article analyzes the political implications of potential leadership changes and argues for the continued cooperation between South Korea and the United States to safeguard sovereignty and counter threats from North Korea.
An opinion piece reflecting on the importance of play and leisure in student life. The article challenges the guilt many students feel when taking breaks, arguing that enjoying life is not wasted time but essential for mental health and fulfillment.
An article addressing the proper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) at Milton Academy. The piece reveals that 60% of surveyed students who discarded devices threw them in regular bins, and explains how improper e-waste disposal contaminates communities and exploits vulnerable workers—including children—in developing countries.
"Our Community Lacks Proper Awareness for Disabilities"
"Speech & Debate Juniors Cite Time Commitment, Team Environment as Reasons for Mass Departure"
"Without Cory Butler, School Events Wouldn't Run"
"The Korea-US Alliance Must Stay Alive"
"Having Fun is Time Spent Well"
"Stop! Take That Phone Out of the Trash…"
Scholarly Research
Research Project "Echoes of Freedom" - Researcher & Author
Authored a scholarly research paper under the guidance of Professor Carly Thomsen at Rice University.
Undertook a research project culminating in a paper that analyzes the profound parallels between the gender-based violence endured by women in North Korea and the exploitation confronting North Korean refugee women in China.
The Concord Review
Submitted a paper to the Concord Review. The paper explores the causes and consequences of North Korea's devastating 1995-2000 famine known as the "Arduous March," examining how the government's prioritization of its juche ideology over famine relief ironically led citizens to resist the regime through defection, market participation, and consumption of foreign media.
Poetry
"Wings" - A Poem About North Korea
Inspired by Yeonmi Park's memoir "In Order to Live," this poem tells the story of a girl growing up in North Korea's Kangwon Province. Through her eyes, we witness the gradual unraveling of state propaganda—from childhood fears of "birds that listen and kill," to the discovery of South Korean dramas that shatter everything she believed, to witnessing a public execution that claims her best friend.
The poem explores themes of censorship, indoctrination, and the dangerous pursuit of truth in a totalitarian regime, culminating in a moment of hope as the narrator watches a sparrow soar freely—a symbol of the freedom she yearns for.
"Better Translations"
Published in The RavensPerch, a top five literary magazine on Feedspot
"Tearful Family Reunion"
Published in The RavensPerch, a top five literary magazine on Feedspot
"Eating Together"
Published in The RavensPerch, a top five literary magazine on Feedspot
"Eat Your Heart Out"
Published in The RavensPerch, a top five literary magazine on Feedspot
Also published in Magus Mabus, Milton's most prestigious literary magazine
"Night Blizzard"
Published in Magus Mabus, Milton's most prestigious literary magazine
"In Which I Forget to Change My Keyboard Language to Korean"
Childhood Books Collection - Over 30 Books Written
A collection of stories and books written by Elizabeth Sim during childhood
Online Writer - Douyin
I also worked as an online writer on Douyin during middle school
