TOUR JOURNAL
Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in Porterville, CA
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Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in Porterville, CA
Friends, I’m back with a tour story that reminds me why a little grit and a whole lot of heart can change everything. This stop was packed with energy, dreams, and even a surprise friendship bracelet!
Building Resilience When Life Face-Plants You
How do you equip K-6th graders—who are just starting to navigate friendships, schoolwork, and personal setbacks—with the tools to bounce back strong? The problem is universal: life will throw curveballs, and without strong social emotional learning skills, those face-plants can leave lasting scars. We need a way to help them develop resilience and see obstacles not as roadblocks, but as opportunities to grow. This is the critical mission for any high-impact school assembly program.
An “I’m Possible” School Assembly Program
That’s where the I’m Possible Assembly Programs come in! My goal is to deliver an electrifying, fun experience that teaches students how to embrace resilience and chase their biggest goals, no matter what.
I had the incredible privilege of bringing this message to Roche Avenue Elementary School in Porterville, California! We had over 350 K-6th graders, and let me tell you, the energy was infectious. Through humor, honesty, and powerful storytelling, I challenged every student to do hard things, face those “face-plant” moments, and recognize the incredible potential within themselves. My message was simple: when you face-plant, get back up and chase your big dreams. I reminded them that impossible is just I’M POSSIBLE!
The entire audience—students and staff alike—had fun, laughed, and left inspired to take action on their goals. At the end, students were eagerly telling me their dreams, giving me high-fives, and even one adorable 3rd grader gave me a friendship bracelet! Talk about impact!
From Face-Plant to Friendship Bracelet
The true impact of a motivational youth speaker isn’t just felt in the moment; it’s felt in the lasting impression and the tangible evidence of transformation.
A huge shout-out goes to 3rd grader Jackson, who helped me share my childhood dream of playing MLB for the New York Yankees. Jackson is an absolute legend who has gone through some tough stuff this year, but he’s been resilient through it all and remains kind, sweet, and relentless in his spirit. Standing on stage with him, seeing his courage, was a powerful reminder of what true resilience looks like in action. He’s a living example of getting back up!
And the feedback confirms the impact of a strong social emotional learning program: I received this incredible testimonial from Pedro Olea, Learning Director:
“Thank you for making time to visit and motivate our students. We received nothing but positive feedback from staff and students. They all loved your presentation, especially the Dodgers fan.”
This moment perfectly illustrates the “I’M POSSIBLE” impact:
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Develop Resilience: Jackson’s story, combined with the core message, showed students firsthand how to bounce back from setbacks and turn obstacles into opportunities.
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Overcome Challenges: They developed the inner strength to confront adversity, knowing that face-plants aren’t failures, but steps on the path to success.
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Embrace a Growth Mindset: Students cultivated an “I can, I will!” attitude that fosters a love of learning and a desire to continuously improve.
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Boost Confidence: Through shared stories and interactive moments, students gained the belief in themselves to achieve their goals.
We are helping elementary students unlock their potential and inspire dreams, all while celebrating the courage it takes to keep going, even when you face-plant.
A Huge Thank You to Porterville, CA!
This powerful event was made possible by incredible leadership that truly invests in their students’ growth and well-being.
A massive thank you to Pedro Olea, Learning Director, and Judie Bochat, School Principal, for the invitation, warm welcome, and genuine hospitality. Your dedication to your students at Roche Avenue Elementary School is truly inspiring!
To all the incredible students of Porterville, especially Jackson, thank you for your unbelievable energy and for reminding me that true strength shines brightest when you get back up.
Until next time, my friends, remember to keep saying, “I can. I will!”
Invite Top Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés to California Schools
If these stories resonate with you, and you’re looking for a school assembly program that goes beyond a simple lecture to create real, lasting impact, I would be honored to talk.
Let’s discuss how we can bring a message of resilience and possibility to your students: call (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday.
Eddie’s School Assembly Program Tour Dates
2025-2026 TOUR DATES
- Aug 1 – Stockton, CA
- Aug 15 – Fort Defiance, AZ
- Aug 15 – Fort Defiance, AZ
- Aug 18 – Saint Cloud, FL
- Aug 25 – Sylvania, OH
- Aug 27 – Lake Crystal, MN
- Sept. 4 – Luray, VA
- Sept. 4 – Luray, VA
- Sept. 4 – Rileyville, VA
- Sept. 5 – Shenandoah, VA
- Sept. 5 – Stanley, VA
- Sept. 20 – Pittsburg, CA
- Sept. 30 – Las Vegas, NV
- Oct. 6 – Hardwick, MA
- Oct. 8 – Stanhope, NJ
- Oct. 8 – Stanhope, NJ
- Oct. 9 – Eastchester, NY
- Oct. 10 – Brooklyn, NY
- Oct. 10 – Brooklyn, NY
- Oct. 10 – Brooklyn, NY
- Oct. 14 – Clovis, NM
- Oct. 21 – Newark, DE
- Oct. 22 – Florence, KY
- Oct. 27 – Poughkeepsie, NY
- Oct. 28 – Queens, NY
- Oct. 29 – Las Cruces, NM
- Dec. 5 – Adelanto, CA
- Jan. 8 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 9 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 10 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 11 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 13 – Mobile, AL
- Jan. 15 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jan. 15 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jan. 15 – Fridley, MN
- Jan. 15 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jan. 22 – Porterville, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Jan. 29 – Grand Blanc, MI
- Feb. 2 – Kermit, TX
- Feb. 3 – Coppell, TX
- Feb. 11 – Sudbury, MA
- Feb. 12 – Egg Harbor Township, NJ
- Feb. 18 – Denair, CA
- Feb. 24 – Los Gatos, CA
- Feb. 25 – Trout Lake, WA
- Mar. 6 – Albuquerque, NM
- Mar. 9 – Little Silver, NJ
- Mar. 9 – Little Silver, NJ
- Mar. 11 – Franklin, MA
- Mar. 16 – Andover, MA
- Mar. 17 – Chula Vista, CA
- Mar. 18 – San Lorenzo, CA
- Mar. 20 – Houston, TX
- Mar. 26 – Reading, PA
- Mar. 31 – Turlock, CA
- Apr 7 – Strasburg, CO
- Apr 7 – Strasburg, CO
- Apr 14 – Tulare, CA
- Apr. 17 – Mays Landing, NJ
- May 7 – Socorro, NM
- Jun 8 – Fort Lee, NJ
2024-2025 TOUR DATES
- Aug 29 – Mansfield, CT
- Aug 29 – Willington, CT
- Sept 9 – Grand Prairie, TX
- Sept 12 – Fresno, CA
- Sept 16 – Danbury, CT
- Sept 17 – Waterbury, CT
- Sept 17 – Waterbury, CT
- Sept 18 – Phillipsburg, NJ
- Sept 19 – Waterbury, CT
- Sept 20 – Woonsocket, RI
- Sept 23 – Elk Grove, CA
- Sept 24 – Elk Grove, CA
- Sept 26 – Somerville, NJ
- Oct 2 – Rancho Cordova, CA
- Oct 4 – Rochester, NY
- Oct 8 – Rancho Cordova, CA
- Oct 9 – Idyllwild, CA
- Oct. 29 – Norfolk, VA
- Oct 30 – Medford, MA
- Oct 31 – Hoover, AL
- Nov 4 – Lewistown, IL
- Nov 4 – Cuba, IL
- Nov 15 – Kissimmee, FL
- Nov. 25 – Rutherford, NJ
- Jan 6 – Tinley Park, IL
- Jan 7 – Houston, TX
- Jan 9 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 10 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 11 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 12 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 13 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 13 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 14 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 15 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 16 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 24 – Escondido, CA
- Jan 28 – Racine, WI
- Jan 29 – Cypress, TX
- Feb 20 – Bedford, NH
- Feb 24 – Berlin, MD
- Feb 25 – Mount Laurel, NJ
- Feb 28 – Parkville, MO
- Mar 5 – Hilton Head Island, SC
- Mar 6 – Burns, OR
- Mar 10 – Lovelock, NV
- Mar 13 – Falls Church, VA
- Mar 18 – Tabor, IA
- Mar 20 – Panorama City, CA
- Mar 24 – El Monte, CA
- Mar 27 – Elsa, TX
- Mar 31 – San Antonio, TX
- Apr 2 – Newark, NJ
- Apr 2 – Newark, NJ
- Apr 7 – Georgetown, TX
- Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 24 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 24 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 24 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 25 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 25 – Centreville, MD
- May 9 – Clarksburg, MD
- May 15 – Hamilton Square, NJ
- May 19 – Barbourville, KY
- May 21 – Maynard, MA
- May 22 – New York, NY
- May 23 – Briarcliff Manor, NY
- Jun 2 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 2 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 3 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 3 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 5 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 5 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 6 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 6 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 11 – New Port Richey, FL
- Jun 17 – Kingsburg, CA
- July 9 – Middlesboro, KY
- July 10 – Middlesboro, KY
- July 11 – Middlesboro, KY
- Jul 14 – Charleston, IL
- Jul 14 – Charleston, IL
- Jul 16 – Middlesboro, KY
- Jul 17 – Middlesboro, KY
2023-2024 SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM TOUR DATES
- Aug. 8 – Stafford, VA
- Aug. 8 – Stafford, VA
- Aug. 8 – Stafford, VA
- Aug. 21 – Boaz, AL
- Sept. 1 – Plant City, FL
- Sept. 7 – Fabens, TX
- Sept. 7 – Fabens, TX
- Sept. 11 – Dover, FL
- Sept. 26 – Albuquerque, NM
- Sept. 26 – Rio Rancho, NM
- Sept. 27 – Albuquerque, NM
- Oct. 16 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 17 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 17 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 18 – Rock Island, WA
- Oct. 18 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 19 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 19 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 20 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Nov. 6 – Newcastle, CA
- Nov. 6 – Sacramental, CA
- Nov. 7 – Sacramental, CA
- Nov. 7 – Gridley, CA
- Nov. 17 – Stirling, NJ
- Dec. 11 – Sebring, FL
- Dec. 15 – Fort Collins, CO
- Dec. 15 – Fort Collins, CO
- Dec. 18 – Holmdel, NJ
- Jan. 24 – Auburn, CA
- Jan. 25 – Natomas, CA
- Jan. 26 – Forest Hill, CA
- Jan. 26 – Elk Grove, CA
- Feb. 26 – Walkersville, MD
- Feb. 29 – Waukegan, IL
- March 1 – Geneva, IL
- March 6 – Haymarket, VA
- March 7 – Manassas, VA
- March 7 – Woodbridge, VA
- March 15 – Lawrence, NJ
- March 18 – Philadelphia, PA
- March 19 – Sicklerville NJ
- March 20 – Phillipsburg, NJ
- March 26 – Rankin, TX
- April 10 – Baltimore, MD
- April 11 – Long Branch, NJ
- April 19 – Clemson, SC
- April 25 – Santa Rosa, NM
- April 30 – Centreville, MD
- May 9 – Frederick, MD
- May 16 – Waukegan, IL
- June 14 – Lake Placid, FL
Invite Eddie Cortés to be a guest speaker at your elementary or middle school. Click here or email info@eddiecortes.com to schedule a conversation to learn more about his school assembly program.
ABOUT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
In his fun and interactive presentation titled “I’M POSSIBLE,” youth motivational speaker Eddie Cortés will help students realize that they are not defined by their limitations but by their potential. He uses humor, thought-provoking stories, and object lessons to teach elementary and middle school students to build resilience. Eddie empowers them to do hard things and chase their dreams.
Click here or call Top Youth Speakers at (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday to invite Eddie Cortés to be a guest speaker at your next school assembly.
EDDIE CORTÉS
Top Youth Motivational Speaker in CA
ABOUT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER EDDIE CORTÉS
With over 20 years of experience, Eddie Cortés is regarded as one of the most engaging elementary and middle school speakers in the youth market. His mission is to empower students to build resilience and a positive self-worth. This mission is personal. As a middle schooler, Eddie stopped believing in himself. In fact, his negative self-view impacted his grades, relationships, choices, and ultimately his dreams. This experience is what fuels Eddie’s mission. He wants every elementary and middle school student to know that they are worthy of their dreams and have the tools to chase them.
To learn more about Top Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés click here.
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