Simone grew up in New York City and spent her junior year of high school living with a host family and attending school in Rennes, France. There, she developed an interest in international relations and was able to further her long-standing passion for travel, languages, and different cultures. Simone is a competitive figure skater, loves all types of music (particularly indie rock), writes, and is a budding photographer. She has been active in the Gay Straight Alliance and the Dancers Responding to AIDS Organization, which inspires her to bring about the world that ought to be. Simone has been raised as an ardent feminist, foodie (and aspiring baker) and passionate advocate for human rights and environmental issues. During her Global Citizen Year, she looks forward to learning Spanish, immersing herself in a new culture, and putting her values into active use.