TOUR JOURNAL
Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés in AZ
“Absolutely loved having Eddie. It was amazing!”
Resilience in Navajo Nation with Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés
This past week was a powerful one, taking the “I’m Possible School Tour” to the heart of the Navajo Nation. We’re talking about a tour stop that reminded me, once again, that true potential isn’t about where you come from or what you’ve been through—it’s about your ability to rise above it all.As a youth motivational speaker in AZ, it was an honor to be there.
I was so honored to spend a day in Fort Defiance, Arizona, bringing my I’m Possible School Assembly Program to two amazing schools: Window Rock High School and Tséhootsooí Middle School. The students were not only fun and enthusiastic, but also incredibly respectful and kind. From the moment I walked into each assembly, the energy was electric. You could feel that everyone was ready to engage, listen, and, most importantly, believe.
The Shoelace Challenge: A Masterclass in Resilience
One of the most powerful moments in my program is the “shoelace challenge.” It’s a simple, interactive task that, on the surface, is just about tying your shoes with one hand. But what it’s really about is much, much more.
I challenged a few students to complete the task with this unexpected twist, and a total of three students—two of them middle schoolers—completely crushed it. What was truly incredible was that two of them thought outside of the box and used their teeth to help them tie their shoes! It was brilliant, and a perfect example of how to reimagine the impossible.
During the challenge, I highlighted a core message of the assembly: You’re not defined by your successes or your failures, but by the choice to bounce back from failure—by the decision to learn something and try again. This is the heartbeat of resilience.
That’s a message that’s deeply personal to me, and it’s the core of my school assembly program. It’s rooted in my own journey of learning that my potential wasn’t limited by my own face plants, epic failures, or other people’s opinions. I learned to rise above my circumstances, and that ability to believe is what changed everything for me. It’s what I love about being a youth motivational speaker; seeing students have those same a-ha moments.
The high-fives and the enthusiastic energy at the end of the presentations were amazing. Several high schoolers even asked when I would be back. To a motivational youth speaker, there’s no better feedback than that.
More Than an Assembly: Human Connections and Fried Bread
Beyond the assemblies, this tour stop was packed with personal highlights that will stick with me forever. The hospitality of the staff at the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board was truly next-level. Ahéhéé (thank you) to Naomi of FDIHB, Principal Geraldine of Window Rock High, and Principal Leona of Tséhootsooí Middle for the incredible invite. Shoutout to Jacob and Jaci for the rich conversations, the sight-seeing and that fried bread 😆.
Oh. My. Goodness. Let me tell you it was delicious. You’ve got to have it with honey and a pinch of salt! What?! It was absolutely amazing.
These moments—the conversations, the food, the scenic views—are all part of the “I’m Possible” experience. They remind me that behind every powerful school assembly program and every shared story, there are real people with incredible hearts, ready to connect. I am grateful for them.
Tséhootsooí Middle and Window Rock High, don’t forget that you are worthy of yours dreams and can reimagine the impossible. Your potential is not limited by your face plants, epic failures, or other people’s opinions but by your ability to rise above your circumstances.
To all the students I met: keep believing in yourselves. You are full of possibilities, and you are possible.
Until next time, my friends, dream BIG!
Invite Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés
To invite Eddie to be a guest speaker at your next elementary or middle school assembly program call (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday.
Look for Top Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in AZ
In his a fun, interactive school assembly program, top youth speaker Eddie Cortés empowers elementary and middle school students to build resilience, a positive self-worth, and chase their “I’m Possible” dreams.
2025-2026 SCHOOL ASSEMBLY 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 – Martinez, CA
- Sept. 22 – St. Cloud, AZ
- Sept. 23 – St. Cloud, AZ
- Sept. 24 – St. Cloud, AZ
- Sept. 30 – Las Vegas, NV
- Oct. 6 – Hardwick, MA
- Oct. 9 – Eastchester, NY
- Oct. 10 –Niskayuna, NY
- Dec. 5 – Adelanto, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Feb. 18 – Denair, CA
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 14 – Washington, NJ
- Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 23 – 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 City, 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
- Jul 14 – Charleston, IL
- Jul 15 – Charleston, IL
- Jul 16 – Middlesboro, KY
- Jul 17 – Middlesboro, KY
Invite Eddie Cortés to be a guest speaker at your elementary or middle school in Arizona. 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
Youth Motivational Speaker in AZ
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
