Hi, I'm Simeon!
I'm a high school student in Brooklyn interested in entrepreneurship, economics, and the process of turning new technologies into useful innovations.
I've always enjoyed imagining solutions to problems. What excites me most is figuring out whether an idea can actually work, and, just as importantly, whether it could make a difference in people's lives.
Recently, I've been exploring those questions through an independent project involving plant-based solar cells. Building and testing them has taught me that an idea doesn't have to work exactly as expected to lead somewhere interesting. Sometimes, unexpected results create the most exciting new questions.
With my family at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival.
Beyond the Projects
Outside of entrepreneurship, music is a big part of my life. I play cello in my school's orchestra and chamber ensemble, and I love figuring out pop songs by ear.
One of my favorite experiences was performing “Stand by Me” with three fellow cellists (that's me on the far right). I love how playing together turns individual parts into something none of us could create alone.
I've played tennis for as long as I can remember, and one of the things I love most about it is the mental challenge. When you're alone on the court, every point tests you. With every point I focus on finding calm even when everything around me feels intense.
It's hard, but that's part of what makes tennis so rewarding. I often think of often think of the quote by Billie Jean King which is on the wall of the USTA: "pressure is a privilege."
Moving Forward
Through experiences like co-leading my school's Best Buddies chapter, I've learned that leadership isn't always about taking charge. Sometimes, it's about listening, showing up for others, and helping people feel comfortable being themselves.
I've also learned that I don't have to change who I am to make a difference. As I take my next steps, I'm excited to keep exploring new ideas, building friendships, and discovering what I can contribute.
And while I hope to create something meaningful through entrepreneurship someday, I've come to realize that I don't have to wait until then to make an impact. I can start every day, simply by being myself.
Biking with my sister and her friend on Fire Island, where I spent part of my summer building solar cells and making memories.