What are the Trailblazer Awards?
The Trailblazer Awards celebrates Year 11 and Year 12 students beyond their ATAR, recognising those who have overcome personal challenges and used their final year of school to positively impact their community.
Our Trailblazers will have the opportunity to build their personal brand and profile as a future leader, learn how to successfully apply for Early Entry, Scholarships, Co-Op, and Cadetships Opportunities, and so much more!
Find out how Julia navigated her senior schooling differently throughout 2023!
Introducing: Julia Sigalas
Category: Social Impact & Change
School: Georges River Grammar
State: NSW
Career Aspiration: Law
Achievements
- Received an award in honour of a deceased maths teacher, recognising hard work and diligence.
- Appointed as the shadow-minister for mental health within YMCA’s youth parliament.
- Organised the first International Women’s Day event at school, raising over $1000 for a domestic violence shelter.
What makes Julia a Trailblazer?
Julia is a dedicated and compassionate individual who has made a significant impact in her school and community. Her achievements in both academics and social initiatives demonstrate her commitment to creating positive change.
Within her school, Julia received a prestigious award in honour of her late Maths teacher, who had a profound impact on her education. This recognition highlights Julia’s hard work, diligence, and alignment with the values of her beloved teacher. It reflects her commitment to excellence and serves as a testament to her dedication to learning.
Julia’s involvement in the YMCA’s youth parliament as the shadow-minister for mental health showcases her leadership skills and passion for addressing important social issues. Together with her team, she presented a Bill to the Legislative Assembly aimed at increasing mental health services in regional and rural areas of the state. This initiative demonstrates Julia’s drive to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and ensure better access to support for those in need. The fact that their report is being presented to the NSW parliament and has a high likelihood of implementation is a testament to Julia’s strategic thinking and ability to inspire change at a policy level.
In addition to her advocacy work, Julia has actively contributed to her school community by organising the first International Women’s Day event. This event not only celebrated the achievements of women but also raised funds for Biyani House, a shelter supporting victims of domestic violence. Julia’s initiative, coupled with her ability to mobilise resources and engage her peers, resulted in a successful event that brought the community together and made a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
Throughout her journey, Julia has developed essential skills, such as effective communication and compromise. Her role in the youth parliament allowed her to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and engage in meaningful discussions. This experience has helped Julia become more extroverted and refine her communication skills. Moreover, her involvement in collaborative projects has taught her the importance of compromise, enabling her to find common ground and value different perspectives.
Despite facing personal challenges, including balancing her responsibilities as a young carer for her father and prioritising her studies, Julia has consistently excelled in her academic pursuits and leadership roles. Her ability to manage her time effectively and maintain her commitment to both her family and her education showcases her resilience and determination.
With her aspirations to pursue a career in law, Julia is poised to make a lasting impact on society. Her involvement in the YMCA’s youth parliament, her leadership roles in school, and her diverse extracurricular activities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Program and debating, have equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in the legal field. Julia’s dedication to social impact, coupled with her passion for justice, makes her a Trailblazer who is bound to shape a better future for others.
Julia’s remarkable achievements, dedication to social change, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others establish her as a true Trailblazer. Her exemplary leadership, compassion, and ability to initiate impactful initiatives set her apart as a role model and inspire those around her to strive for positive change. With her determination and advocacy skills, Julia is poised to create a lasting legacy as she pursues her career in law and continues to champion important causes.
The Top 50 Year 11 and Year 12 Trailblazer Awards
The Trailblazer Awards aim to identify and celebrate students who use their final years of school to invest holistically in the skills and experiences that will maximise their own future opportunities and make a contribution to the future of our society.
Our winners for the Year 11 and Year 12 Trailblazer Awards have demonstrated initiative in volunteering for their school or community, have participated in co-curricular activities, and have held leadership positions within their schools.
Learn more about who placed in the Top 50 Year 11 and Year 12 Trailblazers here!
About Art of Smart Education
At Art of Smart Education, we’re an award-winning provider of holistic tutoring and mentoring for students in years K-12. Our mission is to help students answer the difficult question, “What am I going to do with my life when I finish school, and how do I get there?”
We understand that true success involves mastering study, career and leadership skills while maintaining your wellbeing, not just excelling in academics and as a result, over the last decade, we’ve supported over 10,000 students to achieve their best and maximise their options for life after school.
Each year over one million young Australians, parents, and teachers access our guides, videos and resources to navigate the journey through high school.
