TOUR JOURNAL
Motivational Youth Speaker in California: Eddie Cortés at Palo Verde Schools
Eddie’s energy and positive message was the perfect way to kick off our school year. Students and staff walked away from his interactive presentation energized and ready to take on the year.
A Student Book That Parents and Educators Love
Motivational Youth Speaker in California: Eddie Cortés at Palo Verde Schools
If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt the heavy weight of 150 middle schoolers trying to look “too cool” for an assembly, only to watch them explode into a standing ovation forty minutes later—congratulations, you’ve just witnessed the “I’M POSSIBLE” shift. I just wrapped up a two-part powerhouse session at Palo Verde Union Elementary in Tulare, California, and let me tell you: the Central Valley is raising some serious world-changers. Grab your favorite snack, put the phone down, and let’s talk about how we turned a regular school day into a stadium-sized movement of resilience.
The “Face-Plant” Mental Block
Let’s get real for a second. Whether you are a 3rd grader learning multiplication or an 8th grader navigating the social maze of middle school, life eventually hits you with a “face-plant” moment. You fail a quiz. You mess up a play on the field. You try something new and it goes completely sideways.
The struggle I see in so many districts isn’t a lack of smarts—it’s a grit gap. Students are under immense pressure to excell, and when perfection fails, the instinct is often to retreat. Without a dedicated social emotional learning program framework, “impossible” becomes a permanent label rather than a temporary hurdle. The question for every school leader in the Tulare area is the same: How do we help kids realize that their potential is greater than any “can’t” they’ll ever face?
A High-Energy Top Rated Youth Speaker Meets the Palo Verde All-Stars
That is exactly why I brought the I’m Possible Assembly Program to the home of the Palo Verde All-Stars. My goal as a high-energy speaker is to deliver an experience that feels less like a lecture and more like a breakthrough.
We held two distinct sessions: one for the 3rd-5th graders and one for the 6th-8th graders. Through humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart, we leaned into the truth that success isn’t about avoiding the fall—it’s about how you get back up and chase your most epic dreams.
Student Leadership on Display
A massive shout-out to the students who hopped on stage to help me share my childhood dream of playing professional baseball for the Yankees and participated in our assembly program: Caleb, Efrain, Alan, Mariana, Isabella, Hazel, Mason, Esteban, Kevin, Angel, Serafín, Chloe, Nayeli, and Adamari. You guys were absolute legends! By sharing my own “mess up” moments and stumbles, we made the abstract concept of social emotional learning tangible. We showed them that even when the answer is “no” or you strike out, your story isn’t over.
Why Every Elementary School Assembly Program Needs Grit
The shift across these two presentations was palpable. Palo Verde Union has an incredible school culture—smart, friendly, and thoughtful—and it starts at the top. By the end of the day, students weren’t just inspired; they were equipped with a new mental framework for success.
- Develop Resilience: We focused on the “bounce-back” factor. Students learned that every obstacle is actually an opportunity to grow stronger.
- Cultivate a Growth Mindset: We moved the needle from “I can’t” to “I’M POSSIBLE.”
- Unlock Potential: As I made my way to the car student gave me high-fives and shared their dreams—future scientists, artists, and pro athletes—all buzzing with the confidence to pursue their passions with unwavering determination.
A Heartfelt Tulare Thank You!
I want to extend a massive thank you to the leadership at Palo Verde Union for the invitation and the world-class hospitality.
A huge thank you to Olivia Delgadillo, M.S. (Project AWARE School Counselor) for your heart for these kids, and to Superintendent & Principal Phil Anderson and Vice Principal Rose Machado for prioritizing resilience. A special shout-out to the Palo Verde ASB Representatives—Narcedelia, Erika, and Daila—and the Rally Commissioners, Melissa and Emmanuel, for the epic assembly introductions. You all made this Florida kid feel right at home!
The California Impact Continues
I am so grateful to the Central Valley for the warm welcome. It’s been an incredible run so far—I have spoken at 16 different California schools during this 2025-26 school year, and I’m just getting started!
I am especially thrilled to announce a massive partnership for next year. I have been officially booked for a partnership with the Kings Canyon Unified School District where I’ll be speaking at 15 of their elementary and middle schools this coming August! That will bring my total to 31 high-impact presentations for the 2026-27 season.
To the students of Palo Verde: Keep being relentless. Keep being kind. And always remember: Impossible is just I’M POSSIBLE!
Think your students are ready to find their “I’m Possible” moment? As a motivational youth speaker in California, I’d love to bring this high-energy experience to your campus.
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. 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
- Mar. 5 – 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. 24 – Severn, MD
- Mar. 25 – Severn, MD
- Mar. 25 – Severn, MD
- Mar. 26 – Reading, PA
- Mar. 31 – Turlock, CA
- Apr. 2 – Tornillo, TX
- Apr. 6 – Hamden, CT
- Apr. 7 – Strasburg, CO
- Apr. 7 – Strasburg, CO
- Apr. 9 – Weston, FL
- Apr. 10 – Melbourne, FL
- Apr. 11 – Melbourne, FL
- Apr. 13 – Acampo, CA
- Apr. 13 – Lodi, CA
- Apr. 14 – Tulare, CA
- Apr. 15 – Lodi, CA
- Apr. 17 – Mays Landing, NJ
- Apr. 22 – Spring Lake, MI
- May 1 – East Greenwich, RI
- May 6 – Rochester, MN
- May 7 – Socorro, NM
- May 11 – Needville, TX
- May 28 – Minneapolis, MN
- May 28 – Minneapolis, MN
- May 29 – Fridley, MN
- May 29 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jun. 8 – Fort Lee, NJ
- Jun. 10 – Wesley Chapel, FL
- Jun. 15 – Jersey City, NJ
- Jun. 24 – Corvallis, OR
- Jul. 27 – Orange Springs, FL
- Aug. 10 – Hilliard, OH
- Aug. 24-Sept. 4 – Reedly, CA
- Oct. 16 – Stockton, CA
- Oct. 26 – Long Valley, NJ
- Mar. 2, 2027 – Osage Beach, MO
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
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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