The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards
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For more than a decade, the Riverside County Workforce Development Board (WDB) has proudly recognized 10 outstanding youth each year through the Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards (JDCEYA) scholarship program. This scholarship program is sponsored through Riverside County Works, the Riverside County Workforce Development Board's 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate.
The JDCEYA scholarship celebrates the young adults in our county who have demonstrated character excellence while navigating and overcoming significant barriers resulting from early-life challenges such as poverty, child abuse, abandonment, homelessness.
Each year, recipients are nominated through Riverside County's Youth Opportunity Centers (YOC). The recipients are celebrated at the annual JDCEYA ceremony where they each receive an engraved trophy, legislative commendations, and a $2,500 educational scholarship that recognizes their resilience, leadership, and character excellence.
JDCEYA 2025
On Friday, July 11, the Riverside County Workforce Development Board honored 10 awardees at the annual Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards ceremony, hosted at the March Field Air Museum. The ceremony was emceed by Leticia Juarez of ABC 7 Eyewitness News Inland Empire, and 3-time Superbowl Champion, Kenjon Barner, delivered the keynote speech.
This year’s awardees include:
- Alvaro Ramirez – Moreno Valley YOC
- Edgard Prieto-Gutierrez – Lake Elsinore YOC
- Jayden Cheatham – Indio YOC
- Kayla Cunningham – Hemet YOC
- Kimiko Jackson – Rubidoux YOC
- Levenia Rose Velasco – Rubidoux YOC
- Molly Orozco – Perris YOC
- Olivia Gutierrez – Perris YOC
- Salem Ziemer – Moreno Valley YOC
- Yasmin Cifuente Aguilar – Lake Elsinore YOC
Bottom Row: Alvaro, Yasmin, Levenia, Salem, Molly, Olivia, Kayla, Edgard, and Jayden
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2025 JDCEYA Highlights
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Thank You to our 2025 Sponsors!
Special thanks to our 2025 vendors and partners
- March Field Air Museum
- Cutting Edge Catering
- Moreno Valley Flower Box
- Miguel Mendoza AV
- Pixster Photobooth
- Dalia's Decorations
- Party Plus Rentals
- Rockside Music - Riverside
Thank you for your contribution and investing in the lives of our youth and future leaders!
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For more information or to donate to the Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards scholarship program, please contact Riverside County Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, by email at [email protected].
Six Pillars of Character
CHARACTER COUNTS! and Six Pillars of Character®
are service marks of the
CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition,
a Project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics
www.charactercounts.org
Trustworthiness
Be honest and reliable. Be loyal and keep your promises.
Respect
Treat others with respect and follow the golden rule. Be considerate of the feelings of others and live peacefully.
Responsibility
Be accountable for your words, actions and attitudes. Set a good example for others.
Fairness
Play by the rules and treat others equally.
Caring
Be kind and compassionate. Express gratitude. Help people in need.
Citizenship
Get involved in community affairs and volunteer. Stay informed. Protect the environment.
Past Award Highlights
View our recent and past honorees.
Contact Us
Come join us at the March Field Air Museum for a night of celebration and recognition! The Jamil Dada Character Excellence Youth Awards Ceremony honors outstanding young individuals who exemplify integrity, leadership, and compassion. Be a part of this inspiring event as we shine a spotlight on the next generation of leaders. Don't miss out on this special evening filled with heartwarming stories and impressive achievements. See you there! LINK HERE