Ten Riverside County youths were honored this summer with the 2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Award.
More than 200 attended a Friday, Aug. 4, celebration at the March Field Air Museum near Riverside at which the students were honored.
Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Christina Pascucci hosted the 18th annual event. Col. Amee C. Howard, of the California Air National Guard, gave the keynote speech. Tim Gramling, dean of the School of Business at California Baptist University in Riverside, also spoke.
This year’s recipients, and their cities of residence, are:
- Alexia Williams, Indio
- Betsabe Esquer Cervantes, Lake Elsinore
- Carlos Garcia Aragon, Hemet
- Eric Farias, Jurupa Valley
- Juleyssy Barrios-Yaque, Lake Elsinore
- Leslye Nunez-Rodriguez, Perris
- Manuel Jara-Alvarez, Jurupa Valley
- Mary Zakiya Johnson, Hemet
- Mia Byers, Indio
- Vashti Martinez, Perris
“In spite of difficult and sometimes tragic situations, these young people have been identified as leaders in their communities, determined to earn a high school diploma, and/or in pursuit of a post-secondary education,” a news release states.
Applicants are evaluated based on trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Winners each received a $2,500 scholarship, a trophy and legislative certificates.
The awards program is named after workforce advocate Jamil Dada, vice chair of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board.
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