EDDIE’S TOUR JOURNAL
Motivational Youth Speaker in East Wenatchee, WA
IM.POSSIBLE: BUILDING RESILIENT STUDENTS WHO CHASE THEIR DREAMS
BY EDDIE CORTES
Are you ready to help your students achieve the impossible? In his book, “Im.possible”, a kids book about resilience, Eddie Cortes provides a roadmap for helping students become resilient problem-solvers and dream-chasers.
“I’m possible!”
Building Resilience and Chasing Impossible Dreams at Cascade Elementary School with Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortes
Hey there, everyone! Let me take you on a journey to my recent visit to Cascade Elementary Schools in East Wenatchee, WA, where I had the honor of being the motivational youth speaker for their school assembly program. We delved into the power of resilience and the pursuit of impossible dreams, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience.
A Dream to Play for the New York Yankees
To kick off the presentation, I shared my own dream – playing baseball for the New York Yankees. I brought a student on board to help narrate my journey, and the students’ enthusiasm was off the charts. They cheered me on in the hope that I’d fulfill my dream. Their support was simply awesome!
The “Impossible vs. Im.possible” Game
Next, we played a fun screen game where I presented various scenarios of seemingly impossible feats, like building a 50-ft. sandcastle or robots that can dance. The students’ task was to determine if these challenges were impossible or possible. This game served as a powerful tool to show the incredible capabilities of the human spirit. The students had a blast participating, and we celebrated with a robot dance party afterward.
Jim Abbott’s Remarkable Resilience
Following the game, I shared the incredible story of Jim Abbott, a professional baseball player born with one hand. Despite the odds stacked against him, Jim’s dream was to make it to the big leagues. He learned from failure, never gave up, and worked relentlessly to chase his dreams. What’s even more astonishing is that Jim not only achieved the “impossible” by making it to the majors, but he went on to throw a no-hitter in the big leagues.
What makes Jim Abbott truly special is that he had to overcome everyday challenges, like putting toothpaste on a toothbrush with one hand or tying shoelaces, to achieve the extraordinary. I stressed to the students that if Jim Abbott could conquer these challenges to achieve the impossible, they too could chase their “im.possible” dreams.
The Shoelace Challenge
The final segment involved the shoelace challenge. Students had 90 seconds to tie their shoelaces using only one hand. Initially, I invited three students to the front for the challenge, but it wasn’t long before the entire student body was participating. It served as a powerful illustration of accomplishing “impossible” tasks, learning from failure, and developing resilience to overcome obstacles.
At the end of the presentation, I had the privilege of several students coming up to me and declaring, “I AM POSSIBLE.” It was evident that the message had truly resonated with them.
Vision and Leadership
The students’ amazing response was a reflection of the outstanding leadership of Aurelia Gomez. She had a vision of inspiring her students to chase the im.possible, a vision that extended beyond her school and into her district. Aurelia wanted to help every student across her district become resilient dream chasers, and she succeeded!
Aurelia was not only my biggest cheerleader by sharing my school assembly program with other school counselors, leading to an incredible week in East Wenatchee. Thanks to her vision and leadership, students now believe they can chase im.possible dreams.
Thank You
Aurelia, I can’t thank you enough for your vision, leadership, the invitation, and your warm hospitality. I had an amazing time at Cascade Elementary Schools, sharing my school assembly program with your students, and it was a memorable experience in East Wenatchee. Your dedication is truly making a difference in the lives of students in your community, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.
So here’s to resilience, chasing the impossible, and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow. Until next time!
IM.POSSIBLE Middle School Assembly Program
IM.POSSIBLE is a fun and interactive school assembly helping elementary and middle school students build resilience, a positive self-worth, and chase their I’m possible dreams.
2023-2024 TOUR DATES
- Aug. 8 – Gayle Middle, Stafford, VA
- Aug. 8 – Thompson Middle, Stafford, VA
- Aug. 8 – Poole Middle, Stafford, VA
- Aug. 21 – Boaz Middle School, Boaz, AL
- Sept. 1 – Wilson Ele School, Plant City, FL
- Sept. 7 – Fabens Middle School, Fabens, TX
- Sept. 7 – O’donnell Intermediate, Fabens, TX
- Sept. 11 – Bailey Elementary, Dover, FL
- Sept. 26 – Atrisco Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM
- Sept. 26 – Colinas del Norte Elementary, Rio Rancho, NM
- Sept. 27 – Alamosa Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM
- Oct. 16 – Entiat Schools, Entiat, East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 17 – Cascade Elementary, East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 17 – Sterling Jr. High, East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 18 – Rock Island Elementary, Rock Island, WA
- Oct. 18 – Grant Elementary, East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 19 – Clovis Point Elementary, East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 19 – Eastmont Jr. High, East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 20 – Kenroy Elementary, East Wenatchee, WA
- Nov. 6 – New Castle Elementary & Charter School, Newcastle, CA
- Nov. 6 – Foothill Ranch Middle School, Sacramental, CA
- Nov. 7 – Foothill Ranch Middle School, Sacramental, CA
- Nov. 7 – Manzanita Elementary School, Gridley, CA
- Nov. 17 – Central Middle School, Stirling, NJ
- Dec. 1 – Fred Wild Elementary, Sebring, FL
- Dec. 18 – Indian Hill School, Holmdel, NJ
- March 1 – Kane County ROE,Geneva, IL
Invite Eddie Cortes to be a guest speaker at your elementary or middle school. Click here or email [email protected] to schedule a conversation to learn more about his school assembly.
ABOUT ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM
In his fun and interactive presentation titled “IM.POSSIBLE,” youth motivational speaker Eddie Cortes 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.
Email [email protected] or click here to schedule a conversation to learn more or invite Eddie Cortes to be the guest youth motivational speaker at your next school assembly program.
EDDIE CORTES
Elementary School Youth Motivational Speaker in Florida
ABOUT SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER EDDIE CORTES
With over 20 years of experience, Eddie Cortes 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 Youth Speaker Eddie Cortes click here.
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