TOUR JOURNAL
Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in Grand Blanc, MI
“We loved hearing your message last week… so much that I created a bulletin board that hangs in the hallway outside of my office. Every middle school student’s name is listed because I feel that we are all ‘all stars.’ Just wanted to share that you and your message left a lasting impression on us. Thank you for being you and for sharing your words of encouragement.”
A Student Book That Parents and Educators Love
Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in Grand Blanc, MI
Grab a blanket and a fresh cup of coffee for this one, because I’m still thawing out! I just got back from Grand Blanc, Michigan, and let me tell you—this Florida kid was not prepared for the arctic weather.
When I landed, it was 3 degrees. Three! By the time I headed to the school, it had “warmed up” to 13. I even had to navigate a little snow on the drive over, which is basically an Olympic sport for someone used to palm trees and sunshine. But honestly? I survived the Michigan freeze because the students, staff, and PTO team were some of the warmest people I’ve ever met. They made me feel right at home, even if my toes were still defrosting!
The “Face-Plant” Factor in Early Learning
Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been there—that moment where you try something new, it doesn’t work out, and you just want to quit. For a five-year-old or even a thirteen-year-old, a “face-plant” (whether literal or metaphorical) can feel like the end of the world.
The struggle I see in schools everywhere is a lack of social emotional learning tools that actually stick. Students often feel the pressure to be perfect, and when they hit an obstacle, they don’t have the inner dialogue to say, “I can do this.” They see a roadblock and think, Impossible. The challenge for educators is: How do we build that “bounce-back” muscle before the setbacks of life start to weigh them down?
A High-Energy SEL Speaker Meets the Grit Squad
That is exactly why I brought the I’m Possible Assembly Programs featuring the Grit Squad to Holy Family Catholic Elementary School. This isn’t your typical lecture; it’s a full-blown, high-energy speaker experience designed to make resilience the coolest thing in the room.
We transformed the assembly into a live broadcast of GSPN (Grit Squad Programming Network). Resilience came to life through fun skits, live storytelling, and our “Character Coaches” appearing on-screen—like Barker the Broadcasting Beagle and Bounce-Back Bunny. These characters help make big social emotional learning ideas simple, fun, and unforgettable.
I challenged these 450 K-8th graders to do “hard things” and recognize the massive potential sitting inside them. My message was simple: When you face-plant, you get back up and you chase those big dreams. Using humor and heart, the Grit Squad shows students how to believe in their own “awesomeness” and say “I’m Possible” even when things feel freezing—literally or figuratively!
The Impact: “I Can Do Hard Things!”
The impact of a school assembly program shouldn’t end when the bell rings; it should follow the kids home to the dinner table. Even though it was 13 degrees outside, the energy inside the gym was electric. I had students coming up to tell me their dreams—future doctors, athletes, and scientists—all buzzing with a new sense of “I can, I will!” I even walked away with a custom friendship bracelet from a sweet 3rd grader.
But the real “win” came from the parents. One PTO parent sent in this heart-melting update:
“I asked my daughter (6 years old) today what she thought about Eddie, and she said without hesitation, ‘I can do hard things!’ She also mentioned a kind koala, being brave, and something about big dreams! Thank you for pouring into our kiddos today! You left a mark.”
That right there? That’s the ROI of resilience. School leadership shared the sentiment, saying:
“We were also blessed to host Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés, who delivered an inspiring and energetic presentation to students during our PTO Assembly. His message encouraged students of all ages and made a lasting impact!”
By focusing on social emotional learning, we saw students:
-
Develop Resilience: Learning that setbacks are just setups for a comeback.
-
Boost Confidence: Believing that they are worthy of their biggest, scariest dreams.
-
Embrace a Growth Mindset: Walking away with the “I can. I will!” attitude that fuels academic and personal success.
A Huge Thank You to Grand Blanc, MI!
A massive, “Grit Squad” sized thank you to Principal Cindy Brendel and the incredible Holy Family Catholic Elementary School PTO for the invitation and the amazing hospitality. You all proved that even in 3-degree weather, a warm welcome makes all the difference!
To all the students at Holy Family—keep being relentless, keep being brave, and remember: Impossible is just I’M POSSIBLE!
Invite Top Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés to Michigan 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 MI
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.
Follow Eddie Cortés on social: Instagram | Facebook | Linked In
© 2020 Emerging Students | PRIVACY POLICY