EVANSTON — Lifelong Evanston resident Sheila McGuire will officially step into the full-time reporter position at the Herald on Monday, Aug. 28. With her passion for Evanston and Wyoming as well as for education, government and many other things, she is looking forward to serving the community via journalism.

“I’m looking forward to working at the Herald because journalism matters,” she said. “The public needs to know what’s going on around them. Our democracy depends upon an engaged and informed citizenry. It also helps to build community.”

McGuire was born and raised in Evanston and has spent nearly all her life in the area. She said she loves the community as well as the close proximity to city activities like theater, sports, concerts, the magnificent vistas of the Tetons and southern Utah attractions. 

She is especially passionate about movies, music, books and theater, so she appreciates the opportunities offered both in Wyoming’s stunning landscapes and close communities as well as the rich culture in nearby cities. 

“My husband and I can have entire conversations quoting movies and music,”  she said. “We have season tickets to Broadway at the Eccles — one of the best investments ever.” 

McGuire enjoys spending time with her family — she is married to Brian McGuire, and they have three children aged 7, 13 and 20. 

For the past week, they have been traveling all over the west, including seeing the total eclipse in Sublimity, Oregon; visiting Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon; seeing the ocean; and visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. 

“Nature and public lands are a passion of mine,” McGuire said. “They belong to all of us as Americans and are part of our heritage. One can’t help but be moved when in the presence of such beauty — it’s no wonder people from all over the world stop to marvel.”

McGuire comes to the Herald with an extensive background in education, politics and Evanston’s specific needs as well. She said she does a lot of volunteering, including several leadership positions within the community. She is the Wyoming PTA president, the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) regional commissioner and is the new chair of the Uinta County Democrats. 

“I love all of the involvement and building relationships with people I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise,” she said. “Some of the people I like and respect the most I’ve met through these organizations.”

She earned her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wyoming, finishing the degree entirely through outreach. She officially graduated in 2015. 

McGuire said she is excited to embrace the challenges involved in journalism — especially when contrasting the academic papers from college with newswriting. As she joins the Herald staff, she is looking forward to being an integral part of Evanston life in a new way. 

“One of the great things about Evanston is the many activities and opportunities offered,” she continued. “They’re what bind us together. The paper is part of that.”