Riverside County Workforce Development Board Honors Youth for Character Excellence
July 10, 2026
On Friday, July 10, the Riverside County Workforce Development Board honored ten remarkable young individuals at the 2026 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards, held at the March Field Air Museum. This inspiring event celebrated Riverside County youth who demonstrated unwavering resilience and exemplary character in the face of life’s toughest challenges. Now in its 13th year, the program has awarded $2,500 scholarships to 132 very deserving Riverside County youth. Congratulations to the 2026 award recipients:
- Alex Lozano – Hemet Youth Opportunity Center
- Aryon Rose McMurray – Indio Youth Opportunity Center
- Keanu Vergara – Lake Elsinore Youth Opportunity Center
- Xitlaly Marquez – Lake Elsinore Youth Opportunity Center
- Autumn Faller – Moreno Valley Youth Opportunity Center
- Ashley Antunez Guzman – Moreno Valley Youth Opportunity Center
- D’Angelo Guzman – Perris Youth Opportunity Center
- Juan Martinez – Perris Youth Opportunity Center
- Michael Hernandez – Rubidoux Youth Opportunity Center
- Francisco Jimenez Baez – Rubidoux Youth Opportunity Center
Each 2026 honoree received a $2,500 educational scholarship, a commemorative trophy, legislative certificates, and formal recognition at the ceremony. Despite facing deeply personal and, at times, heartbreaking adversity, these young leaders have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to earning a high school diploma or pursuing higher education. A panel of evaluators selected awardees based on their embodiment of at least two of the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
“Youth make up 35% of our population, but they are 100% of our future and it is our responsibility to uplift and support them. We proudly celebrate our 2026 awardees, their courage, their commitment to excellence, and the impact they will undoubtedly make as the leaders of tomorrow.” — Jamil Dada, Chair, Riverside County Workforce Development Board.
The ceremony was amplified by guest speaker Joanna Rees, who delivered a powerful and heartfelt keynote address. Joanna currently serves as Chair of the California Workforce Development Board. She brings a wealth of experience as a venture capitalist and strategic advisor, having founded VSP Capital in 1996 and more recently serving as Managing Partner (now Chair) at West Global. Joanna has held board positions at FICO—where she leads their Leadership Development and Compensation Committee and has been recognized by the World Economic Forum and Aspen Institute for her leadership.
Rob McMillan, reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News, guided the evening’s proceedings as Master of Ceremonies with poise and enthusiasm, setting an uplifting and memorable tone for the celebration.
Named in honor of Jamil Dada, a dedicated youth advocate at the local, state, and federal levels, the Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards Program celebrates young individuals who demonstrate resilience and strong character. Mr. Dada currently serves as Chair of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board and has been a longstanding member of both the California Workforce Development Board and the National Association of Workforce Boards, having previously chaired both boards.
The annual event and accompanying scholarships are made possible through generous contributions from the Dada Endowment Fund, local businesses, community partners, nonprofit organizations, and net proceeds from ticket sales. For more information or to donate, please contact Riverside County Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, at [email protected].
