Ten Riverside County youths were awarded the 2023 Jamil Dada Character Excellence Award, the Riverside County Workforce Development Board announced Wednesday.
Each of the 10 youths received a $2,500 educational scholarship, a trophy, legislative certificates and recognition at the award ceremony that took place on Aug. 4.
The 18th annual event was hosted by Emmy-winning broadcaster Christina Pascucci at the March Field Air Museum.
Dignitaries in attendance included Rep. Mark Takano, Sen. Richard Roth, Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes, Riverside County Supervisors Kevin Jeffries, Karen Spiegel and Yxstian Gutierrez, Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera, Perris Mayor Michael Vargas and Riverside City Councilman Chuck Conder.
The awards program is named after local, state and federal workforce advocate Jamil Dada.
Dada currently serves as the Riverside County Workforce Development Board vice chair, and is also a member of the National Association of Workforce Boards in Washington D.C.
The annual event and youth scholarships are funded through contributions from local businesses, community partners, non-profit agencies, and net proceeds from event tickets sales.
Two of the winners were from Indio, two from Lake Elsinore, two from Hemet, two from Rubidoux and two from Perris, according to the workforce development board.
For more information or to donate to the Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards program, contact RiversideCountyWorks@rivco.org.