Adrian Johnson Honored for Making Positive Changes by Joy Juedes - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Adrian Johnson Honored for Making Positive Changes

By Joy Juedes, Community Writer
April 6, 2016 at 12:57pm. Views: 116

MORENO VALLEY >> A Moreno Valley high school senior has been named Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside’s 2016 Youth of the Year. Adrian Michael Johnson Jr., 17, will be honored along with the Club’s six Youth of the Year Ambassadors at the Be Great Awards in Moreno Valley on May 6. Adrian gave the winning speech at the competition for San Bernardino and Riverside County clubs earlier in March in Palm Springs. As Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside’s Youth of the Year, Adrian will serve as spokesman for the Clubs and will receive scholarships for college. He will also compete April 6 for the California Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. A senior at Rancho Verde High School, Adrian has been involved with the Club’s Moreno Valley site for three years. He turned his failing grades around in his freshman year of high school thanks to Boys & Girls Clubs. “For long time, I didn’t think I’d graduate, and they helped me,” Adrian said. “They could see I was struggling and a staff member actually knew the math I needed help with. He said, ‘Let me show you a few tricks of the trade to help you out,’ and after I saw that, my grades were steadily increasing.” Adrian faced other challenges besides academics. He grew up around drug use and moved often, causing him to develop a pessimistic outlook on life. He was depressed and overreacted to small things. After joining the Boys & Girls Club, Adrian became optimistic, got help connecting with peers, and learned to be calm and patient in different situations. He started helping other members with schoolwork, assisting with activities, and cleanup. Adrian hopes to attend UC San Diego to study acting. His passion is to bring the arts to low-income communities. Adrian and six other high school students -- Adrian Raquel Chavez, Isabel Cruz, Karla Ponce, Destiny and Stephanie Puente, and Diego Soto -- were chosen as Youth of the Year Ambassadors for their character and citizenship, academics, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. They each wrote three essays, gave a short speech and were interviewed by a panel of judges, which included educators, physicians, and other community professionals. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year program “honors the nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed, and inspire.” If Adrian wins the state competition, he will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September, to compete for the title of National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the chance to meet the president at the White House.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 12:47pm. Views: 262

A quote that inspires Escess comes from the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant: “The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.” To learn more about Escess Coony and his philosophy…

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.grandterrace-ca.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 307

Councilman Doug Wilson, serving Grand Terrace and seeking another term in the November 2026 election, read more about him and his values.

Photo Courtesy of: Margie Miller

By Margie Miller, Publisher, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:46am. Views: 267

Timber Ridge Steakhouse brings a familiar landmark back to life in San Bernardino, welcoming diners to enjoy hearty meals, warm hospitality and a locally operated dining experience. Step inside and read more below about the people and vision behind Timber Ridge’s newest chapter.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 182

Hope, strength and community come together during Breast Cancer Awareness Month as survivors, families and supporters wear pink to remind others that early detection can save lives. Learn about the warning signs, screening and simple steps that could make a life-saving difference—read more below.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 274

San Bernardino is putting local business in the spotlight as entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders prepare to connect, share ideas and discover new opportunities for growth. See how the upcoming Business Summit could help shape the city’s economic future, read more below.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 392

Colorful traditions, music and dance come alive during Hispanic Heritage Month as communities across the Inland Empire celebrate the generations of Hispanic and Latino residents who have helped shape our region. Discover the stories, culture and contributions behind this month-long celebration—read more below.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 390

Young readers made a splash during the County Library’s 2026 Summer Reading Program, discovering new books, building reading skills and celebrating a summer filled with learning and imagination. Read more below to see how local readers made waves this summer.

Photo Courtesy of:

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 252

Moreno Valley residents of all ages can turn their time and talents into meaningful community impact, with volunteer opportunities that bring neighbors together while helping keep the city clean, connected and thriving. Read more below to see how volunteering gives residents a chance to take an active role in the community they call home.

Photo Courtesy of:

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 227

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 197

Lady, a two-year-old, female white Shepard mix who is is a sweet easygoing girl who enjoys being around people and making new friends.
Could Lady be the one you’ve been waiting for? Stop by the shelter and meet your new best friend.

Photo Courtesy of: Kaiser Permanente

By Carol Soudah, Contributing Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 423

Dozens of volunteers from Kaiser Permanente and its partners at Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service, a non-profit organization that services families in Riverside County. The one-day project strengthened the nonprofit’s ability to serve local families by improving community spaces, expanding capacity for the programs and resources local families rely on throughout the year, read more to find out how you can help.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

October 7, 2026 at 10:47am. Views: 199

Since 2014, the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign has helped generate more than $245 million for Feeding America and local partner food banks across the country and has helped secure more than 2.4 billion meals* for people facing hunger. A volunteer packs food boxes for families in need, helping local hunger-relief organizations provide nutritious meals and essential resources to neighbors throughout the Inland Empire.

--> -->