It is with great pride that we present the following students as the 2023 Students
of Distinction. These students were nominated by faculty in their discipline for
their outstanding academics.
Student of Distinction: Bobby Rigo Music Nominated by Professor Kim Kamerin
'Bobby is a multi-talented musician. He is earning degrees in Music Industry Studies
and Music and has distinguished himself in Chamber Singers, Music Theory, Piano, and
MIS-1. Bobby is energetic, dependable, well-liked, and respected by his peers and
instructors. He has remained steadfast in his goals through the pandemic and continues
to be an asset to the Music and MIS programs at Norco College.'-Kim Kamerin
Norco College student Bobby Rigo was selected as the 2023 Student of Distinction in
the discipline of Music. He was nominated by Professor Kim Kamerin. Hear from Bobby
on why he chose Music as his major and his experience about becoming a better musician.
Student of Distinction: Brittney Sanchez Kinesiology Nominated by Professor Ruben Aguilar
'Brittney embodies the definition of being a servant leader. Through her empathetic
leadership as Vice President of the Kinesiology Student Association (2022.) Brittney
is a natural leader, and it showed last semester when she planned and organized a
two-day conference at Cal State Long Beach with the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning
Association.) With her leadership, 11 of our KSA students received a Foundations of
Coaching Lifts certificate. Brittney is now our club President this semester and has
grown our Kinesiology club from 23 members to over 40 new members. Brittney is a woman
of honesty and integrity whose depth of character is a model for others to emulate:
she is a success-driven, results-oriented, committed, hard-working individual who
possesses determination when faced with adversity and reflects caring and empathy
in her interactions with others. With all these leadership qualities, Brittney Sanchez
is our 2023 Student of Distinction in the Kinesiology Department.'-Ruben Aguilar
Norco College student Brittany Sanchez was selected as the 2023 Student of Distinction
in the discipline of Kinesiology. She was nominated by Professor Ruben Aguilar. Hear
from Brittany on why she chose Kinesiology as her major and her experience at Norco
College.
Student of Distinction: Clarissa O'Malley Chemistry Nominated by Professor Jody Tyler
'Clarissa decided to come back to school after staying at home to help raise her children.
I had her in my Che-1B class in Spring 2022 and was excited to find out that she was
a Chemistry major. She is a hard working student but she also has a delightful personality.
She always has a smile on her face and enjoys interacting with others. Clarissa really
enjoyed lab and she was always thorough in her work. After watching her positive interactions
with others and seeing how she excelled in chemistry (she received an "A" in the class),
I asked her to be my embedded Tutor for Fall 2022. In addition, I was able to obtain
funds for her to also be a TA in my Che-1B lab. Students really loved her and felt
comfortable asking her for help. Clarissa was such a huge support for me and students
in the lab as it is very difficult for one instructor to be available for 32 students
in a lab when the experiments are complex and students need extra support. Clarissa
is a very intelligent individual, has an infectious personality and is a joy to be around. I hope you will support her in recognizing her as a Norco College
Student of Distinction for 2022.'-Jody Tyler
Norco College student Clarissa O'Malley was selected as the 2023 Student of Distinction
in the discipline of Chemistry. She was nominated by Professor Jody Tyler. Hear from
Clarissa on why she chose Chemistry as her major and her experience at Norco College.
Student of Distinction: Gerardo Devara
COMING SOON
Norco College student Gerardo Devara was selected as the 2023 Student of Distinction
in the discipline of Computer Science. He was nominated by Professor Daniel Grejeda.
Hear from Gerardo on why he chose Computer Science as his major and his experience
at Norco College.
Student of Distinction: Marty Sanchez Music Industry Studies Nominated by Professor Brady Kerr
'Christopher “Marty” Sanchez is an exceptional example of what it means to be driven
and dedicated. He currently holds down four jobs and a full academic schedule. He
is the president of Battery, Norco College’s Drumline club, which he launched this
semester. Not only did he spearhead the club’s creation, but he has also been dedicated
to recruiting and building a community of inclusiveness, just like in his everyday
life. His peers admire Marty for his artistic prowess, drum skills, positive energy,
knowledge, and self-motivation. As his instructor, supervisor, and club advisor, I
think Marty is, without question, a student of distinction with superpowers. Music
Industry Studies is blessed to have him as an integral part of our program and a core
member of the Studio Arts Ensemble.'-Brady Kerr
Norco College student Marty Sanchez was selected as the 2023 Student of Distinction
in the discipline of Music Industry Studies. He was nominated by Professor Brady Kerr.
Hear from Marty on why he chose Music Industry Studies as his major and his experience
at Norco College.
Student of Distinction: Mesbah Dawar Architecture Nominated by Professor Farshid Mirzaei
'Though Mesbah is the first time taking course with me, her great team playing, hard
work and dedication to her study can be recognized easily. She is working part time
also supporting her classmates when they need help. She is very active and aware of
her class as whole. Always prepare herself before the class and goes beyond expectations.
She should be recognized for all her hard work to be a light for her life and others.'-Farshid Mirzaei
Norco College student Mesbah Dawar was selected as the 2023 Student of Distinction
in the discipline of Architecture. She was nominated by Professor Farshid Mirzaei.
Hear from Mesbah on why she chose Architecture as her major and her experience at
Norco College.
Student of Distinction: Teresa Guerrero English as a Second Language Nominated by Professor Margarita Shirinian
'I met Teresa in class in Fall 2022. She enrolled in my advanced Grammar/Writing
class. It was her first class at Norco College; actually, it was her first college
class ever, and it was rather challenging for her. However, Teresa did her best every
single day. She never missed any classes and was always ready in the morning with
her completed assignments, questions, and a big smile on her face. She was always
positive, motivated, and determined to listen and understand complex language phenomena.
The most important was her realization that she didn't imagine her life without school
any longer even though she was very busy with her family responsibilities, kids' activities,
and a job as a cafeteria worker at the CNUSD. This semester, Teresa is in my class
again. She exhibits the same great attitude and work ethics, and she is a pleasure
to have in class. Teresa definitely deserves to be recognized.'-Margarita Shirinian
Norco College student Teresa Guerrero was selected as the 2023 Student of Distinction
in the discipline of English as a Second Language. She was nominated by Professor
Margarita Shirinian. Hear from Teresa in her native Spanish on why she chose to take
English as a Second Language classes and her experience at Norco College.
STUDENTS OF DISTINCTION 2022
STUDENTS OF DISTINCTION 2021
It is with great pride that we present the following students as the 2021 Students
of Distinction. These students were nominated by faculty in their discipline for
their outstanding academics.
Student of Distinction: Brandalyn Bredehoft
Student of Distinction: Isaiah Villar Music Industry Studies Nominated by Professor Brady Kerr
Student of Distinction: Ban Keissieh Drafting Nominated by Professor Farshid Mirzaei
Student of Distinction: Randy Sherer
Student of Distinction: Lailah Bezan Political Science Nominated by Professor Christine Jun
Student of Distinction: Kory Yueh Humanities Nominated by Professor Ashley Silva
Student of Distinction: Kristin Ustariz Early Childhood Education Nominated by Professors Sarah Burnett and Maria Adams
Student of Distinction: Kellie Blair Administration of Justice Nominated by Professor Sigrid Williams