City of Riverside’s Announces 25 “Most Remarkable Teens” for 2026
Published: 4/30/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 30, 2026
Contact:
Kim Pace, Recreation Services Coordinator
Tereasa France, Assistant Recreation Coordinator
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department
(951) 826-2272
City of Riverside’s Announces 25 “Most Remarkable Teens” for 2026
Young people to be recognized at May 12 City Council meeting
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Riverside Youth Council, a youth program coordinated in partnership between the City of Riverside Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, is pleased to announce this year’s 25 “Most Remarkable Teens.”
The program is designed to recognize Riverside’s youth, enrolled in grades 8 to 12, for their excellence in academics, athletics, arts & culture, community involvement, leadership, courage to overcome, acts of valor, or any other remarkable accomplishments. The applications are carefully reviewed, deliberated upon, and then selected by the Youth Council.
These 25 teens will be honored in a special ceremony at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main St. Selected nominees, nominators, and school principals are invited to attend.
Now operating under the mentorship of the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department’s Johnny Martin Sotelo Youth Opportunity Center, the Riverside Youth Council was established in 2004 by the Mayor, City Council, and Riverside Police Department. It was created to provide a platform for youth expression and leadership development. The program empowers Riverside’s youth to actively engage in public policy and contribute to decisions that directly affect their lives.
25 “MOST REMARKABLE TEENS” FOR 2026:
Abeer Diab, Bartolo Bacilio Pedro, Caesar Olivares, Franco Vega, Kayla Matthews -
LA SIERRA HIGH SCHOOL
Herik Ortega – ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
Logan Tan, Jazleen Kaur, Kyra Zhang – MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGH SCHOOL
Eva Ramos Rivera, Ashley Rodriguez Maldonado – RAMONA HIGH SCHOOL
Nathaniel Suarez – JOHN W. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
Arturo VI Alba, Rachel Haynes, Simon Thrush, Savannah Bustamante, Erynn Mary - Louise Butts - RIVERSIDE POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL
Kristilynn Tugado – RIVERSIDE VIRTUAL SCHOOL
Emma Gonzalez, Scarlette Valdez, Aimee Villegas – NORTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
Aryssa Singh, Ana Simon Hanna – ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Branden Edwards – MISSION VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Erwin Recinos – HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL
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