MOTIVATIONAL YOUTH SPEAKER EDDIE CORTES’

On March 20th, the halls of Phillipsburg Elementary Schools in NJ were filled with excitement and anticipation as I had the honor of being invited to speak to elementary students about building resilience and fostering positive self-worth.

At West Gate Elementary, after the assembly program, I was invited into a fifth-grade classroom by an enthusiastic teacher. What I witnessed there was truly heartwarming. Students, with wide-eyed wonder, shared their takeaways from our assembly:

“I learned that all of us can make our dreams possible if we put in the work.”
“I learned that you can follow your dreams, and that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.”
“I learned that I can’t give up on my dreams, and I’m worthy of chasing them.”
“I learned that I should never give up on my dreams, even if it’s hard.”

Their words resonated deeply with me, reinforcing the core of my message: Every dream is within reach, and every student is worthy of chasing theirs.

Picture this: A young student stands before me, eyes brimming with determination yet clouded with doubt. His dream of becoming a pilot seems like an impossible feat, overshadowed by a seemingly insurmountable obstacle—color blindness. As he shares his dream, I sense the weight of uncertainty in his words.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Foresthill Divide School, a tale of resilience unfolded—a narrative of courage, determination, and unwavering spirit. Picture a gymnasium pulsating with excitement, where dreams dance in the eyes of every student. That was the scene on January 26th, when I had the privilege of being invited as a motivational youth speaker.

Let’s dive into a heartwarming moment that set the tone for an incredible day at Natomas Park Elementary in California. Meet Rafael, a fifth-grader navigating the doubts that often cloud our dreams, especially in something as passionate as soccer.