Kate DeAraugo's Story

Being able to manage the academic side of school life is not always easy for some kids. My academic ability was certainly never brilliant, but I always focused on the things I was good at, not always consciously but it was just the natural thing to do.

I could swim and I could sing, and although I got teased for my learning ability, when it came to the pool or singing I forgot about that. Even though it was hard, I went through school the best way I could, and really tried hard in the subjects I could manage.

I did as much singing and swimming as I possibly could until I was old enough to get a part time job as an assistant swimming teacher. I learnt how to do that just fine!!  After I left school I got a full time job as a swimming teacher and even got promoted to pool manager. I was still doing a lot of singing and decided to try out for Australian Idol and was lucky enough and good enough to win. I now have a career as a singer, which I love.

It does not matter whether you can sing, swim, play a sport, be really good at spelling or just being a good person who can talk to people. You don’t need to be really good at school to be really good at life! I found if you focus on things you are good at and enjoy, no matter what they are, you just might find you end up being fantastic at a job, a career or even a hobby that makes you very successful, and more importantly, very happy.

Kate DeAraugo

Check out Kate's website here.