Image via Simone Moales

 

By: Ryann Phillips, Staff Writer 

 

Simone Moales is no stranger to collaborating with administration to tackle problems. As a rising sophomore, she was confronted by a stalker while on campus; working upfront with Spelman’s public safety and Title IX offices to mitigate this issue. This year, a few days before candidate applications were due for SGA President, Moales wasn’t registered for classes due to a substantial financial hold. However, she did not let this situation hinder her from applying.  

 

Clothed in a bright colored suit, with speckles of pink in her eyelashes, Moales walked me from the bustling Starbucks to the SGA office for our conversation. The third-year Political Science major and Spanish minor from Bridgeport, Connecticut now stands as Spelman’s 83rd SGA President-elect.

 

She spoke with The Maroon Tiger on her Spelman experience.

 

Phillips: You’ve run so many campaigns since being on campus. The “Move with Moales” has gained momentum since you entered.

 

Moales: “Move” really stuck with me, because there’s so much motion at Spelman College. This is a school where everyone is a mover and shaker in their own right.

 

I think the movement not only embodied who I wanted to be at Spelman, but what the Spelman culture already is. You didn’t have to reintroduce Spelman to doing the work. It’s just a reigniting of what we already are. 

 

Phillips: I want to touch on this idea of faith, you often say “worth the wait.” How has this mantra helped you achieve your goal of becoming Spelman’s 83rd SGA President? 

 

Moales: I think that a lot of these hard fought victories come with a long waiting period. I waited until junior year to be in a position that I was elected for in SGA. My first year I was not elected; I was appointed. 

 

Another thing that I had to wait for was getting back to campus. And that was the longest wait ever! 

 

I was on the road with Dr. Jill Biden. I got an email from an administrator saying, we’re going to put your case on a standstill until you can pay something. 

 

At that point, I was like, I’m just not going to run. 

 

Miraculously, my loan went through after trying two times. And I was like, I can go to class! All this coming together, while waiting, really embodied what the movement is!

 

I hope to fundraise with the help of the board under “The Saving Grace Fund,” which will help students register for their [classes].

 

Phillips: How long have you known you wanted to be SGA President?

 

Moales: Oh, my gosh, since I walked on this campus! 

 

This was born out of my cousin who’s in the class of 2017. She was in the Spelman College Glee Club, and they came and performed at my church. There was so much elegance, grace and excellence that they exuded on that stage. 

 

I’ve always wanted to be SGA president after seeing the excellence that I saw on that stage. 

 

Phillips: What is the No. 1 thing you hope to accomplish during this term?

 

Moales: My number one thing is the “Saving Grace Fund.” I can’t wait to raise the $100,000 for the Spelmanites!

 

Phillips: It can be hard to serve as the president of an institution where you almost couldn’t continue due to a financial hold. How does that feel? 

 

Moales: I just left a meeting the other day with a couple of admin in particular, who were very silent on my case. To now see their faces and talk with them, it just feels like the ball is in my court. Like, you didn’t do anything. Now, I’m standing here, and you’re asking me for solutions and help. 

 

Of course, I’m going to help you, because it’s not about you. It’s bigger than my case. So now, I really have to go hard. I’m going to relentlessly fight for these students next year.

 

Phillips: What self-care activities do you practice? 

 

Moales: I love journaling! I literally have my journal in my bag right now. 

 

I also listen to music. I listen to Maverick City all day long. Maverick City, Tribl, Travis Greene, Forward City, like those are my peeps. 

 

The third thing that I do is I vent a lot. I can’t go to sleep without calling someone or having a conversation. Like, you know, anyone; my Abby sisters, my line sisters, Glee sisters, debate sisters. I’m going to make a call. 

 

Phillips: If our readers could only remember one thing about you? What would you like it to be?

 

Moales: Never stop moving. Don’t ever let any roadblock get in the way of what you’ve dreamed about. If you’re supposed to be in the room, you’re going to be in the room.

 

Moales will take on the role of Spelman’s 83rd SGA President at the beginning of next semester. The Maroon Tiger attempted to speak with Spelman’s Office of Student Affairs, but the office declined to comment due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations.

 

Copy Edited by: Justin Darden, News and Politics Editor