Ashley Calderon
School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Class of 2021 Commencement Speaker
From foster youth to Army Reserve to future medical school student. Learn how Ashley
Calderon overcame relentless obstacles and persevered.
Calderon was born in San Diego, CA. She moved to Temecula her sophomore year and graduated
from Chaparral High School. After graduation, Calderon enrolled at Norco College to
pursue a career in medicine.
Calderon’s grit pushed her to complete three years of college as a full-time math
major, vice president of the Honors Society, and an athlete on the Women’s Cross Country
team. Her energy was endless and paid it forward by helping foster and homeless youth
in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Despite the full load, Calderon had a
knack for public service and landed an internship with California State Senator Connie
Leyva, all while serving in the United States Army Reserve.
Calderon strongly believes that her tumultuous upbringing as a first-generation college
student and woman of color is the reason and drive behind her success. She is eternally
grateful to the faculty and staff at Norco College for addressing every basic need
and bridging the gap from her disparities to her academic success.
Today, she is finishing strong having earned three associate degrees in Social & Behavioral
Studies and Mathematics. This fall, she will transfer to the University of California,
Berkeley, where she will continue her pre-med journey, while majoring in Mathematics.
Her long-term goal is to get into medical school where she can study epidemiology
with a focus in diabetic research. Calderon is passionate about advocating for social
reform and justice, and plans to integrate her medical degree into politics as a possible
future candidate for Congress. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, traveling, and
leading an active lifestyle.
Anisha Salhotra
Norco College School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Salhotra, a first-generation college student, will be moving on to West Coast University in the fall to pursue a career in nursing. She was also accepted at Sacramento State University, East Bay, and San Jose State University.
After graduating from Corona High School, she enrolled at Norco College and joined a variety of campus programs like UMOJA, Woman’s Leadership Circle, Associated Students of Norco College, and more.
“Norco College taught me the fundamentals of my collegiate journey as well as provided a platform to enhance my leadership potentials,” said Salhotra.
She recalls having to juggle time between working full time, learning, and volunteer commitments.
Salhotra ends with a piece of advice, “No campus is too big or too small to build connections and strive for greatness. Get involved; it enriches the experience.”
Valerie Diaz
Norco College School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Diaz, a first-generation college student, will be transferring to the University of California, Riverside, in the fall. She aspires to pursue a career in law.
She credits the EOPS program counselors for helping her stay on track, guiding her
through the transfer process, and earning her degree.
“Meeting with counselors and tutoring were the resources I used to help me successfully
complete college,” said Diaz.
She recalls struggling with low motivation when classes transitioned to remote learning
last March. Despite feeling unmotivated, she made it a point to stick to a routine
and managed to finish strong.
Julian Horner
Norco College School of Business and Management
Horner is a former foster youth student. He spent most of his childhood in Los Angeles.
Horner recalls entering the foster care system when he was 15. He moved to Corona
after living in Orange for a year. He was adopted shortly before his 18 birthday.
A graduate from Centennial High School in Corona, Horner enrolled at Norco College,
where he will be graduating this semester with multiple degrees in Administration
of Information Systems; Math and Science; Social and Behavioral Studies; and Philosophy,
Humanities and Arts, along with a certificate in Income Tax Preparation.
Horner plans to earn a Business Administration degree for transfer in the fall at
Norco College and transfer to Cal State East Bay's online business program in the
spring of 2022 to pursue an accounting degree.
Alyssa Hernandez
Norco College School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Hernandez has been attending Norco College off and on since 2012. She went into the
foster care system when she turned two and then again at the age of 14. She reflects
on having a far from easy life, recalling traumatic events witnessed as a little girl
and adolescent.
Today, Hernandez is celebrating that she is the first in her family to graduate college.
She is graduating with a Sociology degree. Hernandez was accepted to California State
University, San Bernardino, where she will be pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Sociology
and Social Work.
“Do not give up, no matter how hard life gets,” Hernandez said. “Being educated and
continuing to work hard in school is the only way out of the system.”
Sarah Hardy
Norco College School of Arts & Humanities
Hardy earned three associate’s degrees from Norco College and is set to transfer to
Cal Poly Pomona in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English.
“EOPS and the Phoenix Scholars program helped my college journey because they provided
a sense of community and created a unique support system for me,” said Hardy.
Hardy recalls never feeling alone at Norco College. She credits the counselors and
professors for always pushing her to be the best she could.
Bianca Roman
Norco College School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Roman is a former foster youth and proud mom of two. She has been attending Norco
College off and on since 2010 and is delighted to be graduating with three degrees
and a CNA certificate, while maintaining over a 3.0 grade point average.
She is a nursing major and plans to join the LVN to Nursing Bridge program at Riverside
City College.
“EOPS and Phoenix Scholar helped me with counseling, books, school supplies, and other
resources to stay focused in college,” said Roman. “I did it!”
Erica McNabb
Norco College School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
McNabb says that enrolling at Norco College changed her life. Her mother, who was
a domestic violence survivor, raised her.
“Life was never easy, but my mother never let me lose sight of its beauty,” says McNabb.
Artistic expression has always brought her endless joy. When she began her journey
at Norco College, she did not know what she wanted to do. It was during her time at
NC that she began writing and drawing again. She discovered a new path, and today,
she earned two degrees - Graphic Design and Fine & Applied Arts.
McNabb credits the support from the EOPS team at Norco College for helping her find
her calling and opening doors of opportunity.
She plans to land a job after graduation, finish her screenplay, and decide where
to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She is eager to apply what she learned at Norco College
and share it with her peers.
Nina King
Norco College School of Business & Management
King grew up in the San Fernando Valley with her mom and sister. Her father passed
away while she was in high school and she lost interest in going to college.
Once King graduated, she moved to the Dominican Republic. After a few years of working
as a youth counselor and bus driver, she had her son and decided to move to a small
town in Louisiana where opportunities were scarce and support was lacking. She realized
that she wanted real change and moved back to California.
King enrolled in Norco College and her life changed for the better. Fast forward,
she is now graduating with degrees in Business Administration, Social and Behavioral
Studies, along with a certificate in Entrepreneurship. She looks forward to transferring
to a historically black college and university in the spring of 2022, where she will
continue her education in Business and the tech world.
“I am grateful for the support provided to me from the programs I took part in like
EOPS, CARE and CalWORKs,” said King. “I feel better prepared for what lies ahead because
of my experiences and support received at Norco College.
Linda Rojas
Norco College School of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Rojas was born and raised in Santa Ana. She moved to Lake Elsinore at the age of 13
and became pregnant at 15. She did not let her baby become an obstacle; instead, she
continued her studies and graduated from high school in 2010. Rojas knew she needed
therapy to overcome domestic violence and PTSD. Through the social services system,
she received this therapy and realized that she wanted to attend Norco College.
Rojas enrolled in spring 2017 and worked in the cafeteria while managing a full schedule.
She never gave up and is graduating from Norco College with an associate degree in
Sociology. She is transferring to the University of Californian, Riverside, where
she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Her long-term goal is to become
a social worker.