Meet the Students Behind the Mascots: Team Rocky Takes a Bow at Commencement 2025

Montclair State University’s 2025 Commencement set a record for school spirit, with nine members of Team Rocky graduating – including seven who stepped out from behind the beak – making it the largest “Rocky Reveal” in University history.

Commencement is the moment mascots step into the spotlight, donning Rocky’s bright yellow talons one final time. Per tradition, their identities are kept secret until graduation, often to the surprise of classmates and faculty.

This year’s celebration also marked the debut of Montclair’s newly redesigned Rocky and Roxy mascots. Rocky now sports a friendlier face, while his sister Roxy received a full glow-up with a fresh look all her own.

Roxy has especially won over campus hearts. “Everyone loves Roxy,” says Hannah Lindeblad, director of Student Communications. “She’s received only positive attention.”

Meet the graduates and learn what being part of the Team Rocky legacy means to them:

Ciriana Lee Monti, 3.5 years as Rocky and Handler

Degree: BA in Psychology

Favorite thing: “Watching the students, both on and off Team Rocky, adapt to the new look. My co-manager Jordan has put so much work into building her up as a real mascot for our University, and to see students, specifically our women on campus, be able to connect with Roxy has felt so rewarding.”

Meaningful experience: “Joining Team Rocky was the best decision I have ever made. I’ve grown in numerous ways, from my confidence to my dancing and improv skills, and this is coming from someone who had never really enjoyed the spotlight.”

What’s next: “To keep working to become a first responder. I have taken and passed a few exams for police and fire departments and am hoping to start in one of them soon.”

Jordan Fiorentino, 3 years as Rocky, Roxy, Uncle Roy and Handler

Degree: BA in Family Science and Human Development with a concentration in School Settings

Favorite thing about being among the first next-gen Rocky/Roxy: “Seeing people fall in love with Roxy. Before the relaunch, I helped develop her personality a bit more than just ‘Rocky’s little sister’ and seeing people connect with her has brought me such joy.”

Meaningful experience: “Team Rocky was a place where I was able to be creative and play, and I have had so much fun.”

What’s next: “I’m spending one more year here at Montclair completing my Master of Arts in Teaching.”

Aly Erario, 2.5 years, Rocky, Roxy and Handler

Degree: BA in Psychology and a minor in Musical Theatre

Favorite thing: “One of my favorite memories was being able to debut the new Roxy suit at the 4th of July Parade in Montclair. Everyone had such a positive reaction, and it was a great event.”

Meaningful experience: “Team Rocky has opened so many different opportunities for me and has also grown me significantly as a person. It has helped me step outside of my comfort zone, become more social and even a mascot, which I never would have seen myself doing before coming to college.”

What’s next: “I will be interning with Carnival Cruise Line this summer as a part of their Activity Host Internship.”

Sophia Del Monte, 2 years as Roxy and Handler

Degree: BS in Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Strategic Human Capital Management.

Favorite thing: “Getting students excited about the change and making my mascot debut as Roxy was reintroduced and popularized in the new era.”

Meaningful experience: “Being on Team Rocky has really shaped my college years. I would not be the person I am today without the people I’ve met and the skills I have gained.”

What’s next: “I hope to work full time in Human Resources or start a Human Resources master’s program in the fall – or both.”

Kevin Tay, 1 year as Rocky and Handler

Degree: BA in Communication and Media Studies

Favorite part: “People’s reactions. At first people were accustomed to the old Rocky, but people started loving it. It’s still Rocky.”

Meaningful experience: “Spreading school pride and joy is one of the biggest highlights. Learning how much Rocky can impact someone’s day just by playing hard.”

What’s next: “Hopefully working within the entertainment industry or music industry doing marketing or advertising.”

Anastasia Swan, 1.5 years as a Handler

Degree:  BFA in Theatre: Design, Technology and Management.

Favorite thing: “Getting to experience the upgrade with the team. They pushed our team to just be better overall. The whole team transformed with the suits.”

Meaningful experience: “For my first two years at this school I was very shy and felt that was holding me back; I was missing the life Montclair had to offer me. So, I went way out of my comfort zone and joined the team. This truly changed my life.”

What’s next: “I plan to do sound for live theater. I have my first official gig as a sound mixer in July and I’m very excited to get out there and share theater with the world.”

Sam Spencer, 1.5 years as Cousin Ricky, and a handler for Rocky and Roxy

Degree: BA in Psychology.

Favorite part: “Working with Roxy and being able to help people take pictures and communicate for the birds.”

Meaningful experience: “Being on Team Rocky has allowed me to gain so much love and pride for Montclair, including working with the pupscot Pebbles and going to two Commencements.”

What’s next: “I will be getting my master’s in counseling at Rowan University, as well as being the graduate assistant for Rowan Student Government Association.”

Also graduating were Regan Neal and Michael Chanda, both mascot handlers, who are responsible for communicating on behalf of the birds, who do not speak so as to help maintain their secret identities. Chanda also performed the first male-identifying Roxy, Lindeblad said. “These nine students put their heart, soul and sweat into these characters, and I am proud of all of their accomplishments.”