A week ago, we celebrated and farewelled our “Class of 2024” with a brilliant Year 12 Award & Completion Ceremony in the Nautilus Theatre.
For those of you who were present in the audience that night, you will no doubt recall the inspirational speech delivered by our guest speaker, former student Zoe Karatzovalis.
Zoe described her incredible journey from PLHS to Sydney-based professional dancer, business owner of two inclusive dance studios and part-time Wiggle. She also shared some wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement with our current students.
Despite her hectic schedule this week (debuting as the Yellow Wiggle), Zoe generously agreed to send us a copy of her speech. We are delighted to be able to share the full transcript – please enjoy…
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests and especially the graduating class of 2024. Firstly, I too would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we meet today. I pay my respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connection to this land.
Standing here feels surreal. It’s been about 5 years since I have been back to Port Lincoln, and over 10 years since I have stood on this stage performing my last dance production. I also remember when I graduated, I was sitting exactly how you are now, probably thinking the same things like – “When will this end?” and “What am I gonna wear to the after party?”
But seriously, Class of 2024, what an achievement. Looking at you all today brings back so many memories of my time here at Port Lincoln High. The ups, the downs, the overdue assignments, the hemming up of my dress, the stresses of exams. It gives me major flashbacks. But it’s all worth it up to this point, and you all should be very proud of yourselves.
My name is Zoe Karatzovalis and I was born and raised here in Port Lincoln along with my two older brothers who both attend PLHS. I was a student here from Year 8-10, as well as attending Port Lincoln Junior Primary and Port Lincoln Primary School. My life as a student was nothing but busy and on the move. I was known to never sit still, which is why the performing arts industry was a good fit for me. My parents, who are also my biggest supporters would drop me off to netball and dance every night of the week; which was either ballet at Odette’s School of Dance, or a fun hip hop combo at MTC Dance. Being a student at PLHS I was hardworking, but also a chatterbox, known as the life of the classroom. Every parent teacher interview consisted of “Zoe’s great, but she talks too much”. But with my hard work ethic and enthusiasm for the performing arts, lead me to accomplish many achievements, such as obtaining the Long Tan Award in Year 10, and receiving the Year 9 Pantomime award for my performance as the Scarecrow, in the Wizard of Oz. I left in Year 10 and completed my senior school years in Adelaide, then ventured to Sydney and obtained a Diploma in Elite Performance at Brent Street in 2018.
I’m here today to share something with you that I wish someone had told me when I was sitting in your shoes. You know that dream you have? Don’t let anybody dim your shining light, because from this point forward, that dream is exactly what you should be chasing.
When I moved to Sydney to pursue a professional career, all I had was a suitcase full of clothes and a head full of dreams. Let me tell you, the dance world wasn’t exactly awaiting with open arms. The constant knockbacks, the competitiveness of the industry, it wasn’t as easy as you may think. I wanted to give up way more time than I could count. But here’s the thing about rejection – it’s not a full stop, it’s just a comma in your story.
Growing up here, I watched my brother who’s on the autism spectrum, attend this very school. I saw how his classmates embraced him, how this community showed what inclusion truly means. Those experiences planted a seed. When the professional dance world wasn’t quite working out for me, instead of giving up on my dreams, I just shifted my energy into a slightly different direction. When life paused in 2020 from Covid, so did my performing career, and my focus shifted on doing disability work in Sydney. I was granted a job with Stellar Experiences; who provide outings for people on the spectrum from ages 18-35 years of age, giving these adults the opportunities that they never thought would be possible.
This company showed me that life has no limits, you can achieve whatever you want no matter who you are. One day my imagination was running wild and something hit me; why don’t I combine my two loves of dance and working with people with disabilities into one.
From that day on, at the ripe age of 22, I started fun classes once a week for people with disabilities, which I didn’t know would change my life for the better. Because today, at 25 years of age I run a disability dance studio, Infinite Abilities Performing Arts, providing dance, movement and singing classes for all abilities and all ages. We have two locations in Sydney with over 50 amazing students in the short space of 2 years. It goes to show that your path may change in life, and that’s okay! Let the journey be a joy ride, if something doesn’t work out, it’s because something better is just around the corner for you. And I’m glad to say I am a prime example of this.
But like I said, there’s no full stop in my story, just as there shouldn’t be for yours. Stepping away from the professional industry did make me feel empty, and it felt like I lost a huge chunk of my life. I stopped dancing for me. And that’s when I saw an audition for The Wiggles, and I knew right then and there that if I were to make a comeback in the industry, it would be with this company. So, I put my hair in pig tails, dusted off my jazz shoes and gave my best Fruit Salad rendition The Wiggles ever did see. And one year on… I am now a part-time performer with The Wiggles as Dorothy the dinosaur, Wags the Dog and Henry the octopus. And with some hard work, next week I’ll be making my debut out of the suits stepping in as the Yellow Wiggle for the Australian tour. A dream come true if you ask me.
Who would have thought right? Me, a young girl from Port Lincoln could ever make it to this. Being a business owner and a green dinosaur on the side. But it’s all about guts and determination. No matter where you’re from, how big or small a town is, if you want something, you go get it.
Port Lincoln might seem like a small dot on the map to some, but look at what it’s given you: resilience, community and opportunity. Take these moments you created here and run with them. I’m so proud to be born and bred in Port Lincoln, I boast about it all the time! I tell people it’s the only place in Australia to go shark cage diving, and we are home to the best horse statue in Australia! Shoutout Makybe Diva!
But in saying that, here’s what I want you to take away from my story. This town where you’re born and raised, gives you no limitations for where you want to be. It’s your origin story, a starting point of the biggest journey of your life. And it’s a great place to look back and see where you once started.
To the Class of 2024: You’re not just graduating from high school today. You’re stepping into your story. Make it bold. Make it yours. And when life throws you curveballs – and trust me, it will – remember this moment, remember this small town that gave you your start. Your dreams might change shape along the way, like mine did, and that’s okay. Sometimes the best adventures come from the detours we never planned to take.
I’ve dreamt of this moment before, coming back to my hometown to hopefully inspire and lead the way for the next generation to chase their dreams. I didn’t think it would ever happen, but I guess I can proudly say I have accomplished everything I’ve ever dreamed of so far, and I hope today I’ve inspired you to chase yours.
So, here’s to you, Class of 2024. Dream big, work hard, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t. Because trust me – you can, you will, and you already are.
Thank you, and congratulations!”
~ Zoe Karatzovalis (20/11/24)