Riverside’s 25 “Most Remarkable Teens” announced for 2024

The Riverside Youth Council has announced this year’s 25 “Most Remarkable Teens,” the city announced Thursday.

The program is coordinated by the mayor’s office and the Riverside Police Department and recognizes Riverside students in grades 8-12 for their excellence in academics, athletics, arts and culture, community involvement, leadership, “courage to overcome, acts of valor, or any other remarkable accomplishments,” according to a city statement.

Youth Council members review, deliberate, then choose the “remarkable” honorees, who will be publicly recognized at a ceremony during the May 7 City Council meeting at 4:45 p.m. in Riverside City Hall’s Council Chambers, 3900 Main St.

The mayor and City Council established the Youth Council in 2004 “as a means of expression and leadership development for the city’s youth,” officials said. “The program aims to encourage Riverside’s best and brightest to have a voice in public policy and other decision-making that directly impact the lives of young people.”

The 2024 “Most Remarkable Teens” are:

Christina Chimal, Brooke Hernandez and Kayla McCarty from Ramona High School;

Marcy Arcos Benigno, Elizabeth Bojorquez Barrios, Rose (Raine) Hemminger, Thu Nguyen, Sophia Rocha, Vineet Sharma and Terry Tebbetts from La Sierra High School;

Natasha Singh, Notre Dame High School;

Aiden Anguiano, Riverside Virtual High School;

Makayla Hudson, Elynora Taylor and Samantha Velasquez, Arlington High School;

Joseph Subriar, Riverside Poly High School;

Marco Suarez, Hillcrest High School;

Odera Arena, Martin Luther King High School;

Marilyn Gonzalez and Ahriya Gutierrez, Norte Vista High School;

Brendon Jiang, Riverside Stem Academy;

Isabella Ortega, Ysmael Villegas Middle School;

Louisa Pruitt, Summit View Independent Home-Based Program;

Urijah Raju, St. Catherine Of Alexandria Parish School; and

Rachel Taulanga, Alvord High School