{"id":215011,"date":"2021-06-15T13:42:44","date_gmt":"2021-06-15T17:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=215011"},"modified":"2021-06-29T12:13:03","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T16:13:03","slug":"in-person-rocky-reveals-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2021\/06\/15\/in-person-rocky-reveals-return\/","title":{"rendered":"In-Person Rocky \u2018Reveals\u2019 Return"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year, the \u201cRocky Reveal\u201d tradition returned to Commencement. Each year, graduating members of Team Rocky \u2013 the group of students who embody or support Montclair State\u2019s energetic and extroverted mascot Rocky the Red Hawk \u2013 reveal themselves at the University\u2019s Commencement by donning Rocky\u2019s big yellow talons or oversized sneakers along with their caps and gowns.<\/p>\n

Last year, with in-person graduation postponed until July, the 2020 graduating Rockys revealed themselves virtually through social media in May.<\/p>\n

This year, the five graduating seniors who worked as mascots or handlers on Team Rocky returned to in-person unveilings, giving away their long-held secret identities over the course of multiple graduation ceremonies<\/a> at Sprague Field. Team Rocky Class of 2021 includes Taylor Risley (Rocky), Nick Parente (Rocky), Casey Masterson (Rocky), Jasmine Metellus (Handler) and Danny Waffenfeld (Team Rocky Graduate Coordinator).<\/p>\n

Masterson, a German major with minors in Creative Writing and Mythology, was thankful for the experience \u2013 though she \u201cswore up and down\u201d when she joined Team Rocky that she would never don the suit. Ultimately, Masterson appeared as both Rocky and his sister Roxy.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt was such an invaluable experience in leadership and communication,\u201d says Masterson. \u201cI’d say the best part of being Rocky and Roxy is the feeling of joy people bring. Young people, old people, students, faculty, professors, anyone on campus goes nuts for Rocky. It’s so great being able to bring that feeling to others.\u201d The downside? \u201cWhen you first step out of the suit and go back into the same room you were in before, it feels like no one knows you’re there in comparison!\u201d<\/p>\n

Masterson, who writes fiction, is now working at the Upper Shores Library in Lavallette, New Jersey, and will begin a Master of Information program with a concentration in Library and Information Science at Rutgers University in the fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoining Team Rocky was the best decision I’ve ever made,\u201d said Taylor Risley, who majored in Television and Digital Media with a concentration in Television Production and minored in Business. Risley is now off to West Chester University to pursue a master\u2019s in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs while working as a graduate hall director.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n
\"graduate
Casey Masterson \u201921<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n
\"Rocky
Rocky escorts Taylor Risley \u201921 (right) as she reveals her Team Rocky status by donning Rocky\u2019s talons along with her cap and gown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

\u201cNot only did I find my forever friends and home away from home\u201d with Team Rocky, says Risley, \u201cbut Rocky allowed me to be my true creative self and express myself in ways I never thought imaginable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Risley worked alongside the Montclair State Cheer team for the past two years, and was Rocky\u2019s social media manager for the last year, creating Rocky\u2019s TikTok page.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a part of the Rocky Universe because I get to help make people smile on and off campus and spread Red Hawk pride as far as it can go,\u201d says Risley. She shared her favorite memory as Rocky: \u201cDefinitely getting to high-five Dr. Cole for her final Commencement.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Story by Staff Writer Mary Barr Mann<\/p>\n

You may also like:<\/p>\n