{"id":226291,"date":"2025-05-09T11:46:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T15:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=226291"},"modified":"2025-05-29T18:28:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T22:28:26","slug":"meet-the-students-behind-the-mascots-team-rocky-takes-a-bow-at-commencement-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/05\/09\/meet-the-students-behind-the-mascots-team-rocky-takes-a-bow-at-commencement-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Students Behind the Mascots: Team Rocky Takes a Bow at Commencement 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montclair State University\u2019s 2025 Commencement set a record for school spirit, with nine members of Team Rocky graduating \u2013 including seven who stepped out from behind the beak \u2013 making it the largest \u201cRocky Reveal\u201d in University history.<\/p>\n

Commencement is the moment mascots step into the spotlight, donning Rocky\u2019s bright yellow talons one final time. Per tradition, their identities are kept secret until graduation, often to the surprise of classmates and faculty.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s celebration also marked the debut of Montclair\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Roxy has especially won over campus hearts. \u201cEveryone loves Roxy,\u201d says Hannah Lindeblad, director of Student Communications. \u201cShe\u2019s received only positive attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The
Longtime team Rocky member Ciriana Monti strikes a pose with the Montclair mascot. (Photo by University Photographer John J. LaRosa)\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meet the graduates and learn what being part of the Team Rocky legacy means to them:<\/p>\n

Ciriana Lee Monti<\/strong>, 3.5 years as Rocky and Handler<\/p>\n

Degree: BA in Psychology<\/a><\/p>\n

Favorite thing: \u201cWatching 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaningful experience: \u201cJoining Team Rocky was the best decision I have ever made. I\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next: \u201cTo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jordan Fiorentino<\/strong>, 3 years as Rocky, Roxy, Uncle Roy and Handler<\/p>\n

Degree: BA in Family Science and Human Development<\/a> with a concentration in School Settings<\/p>\n

Favorite thing about being among the first next-gen Rocky\/Roxy: \u201cSeeing people fall in love with Roxy. Before the relaunch, I helped develop her personality a bit more than just \u2018Rocky’s little sister\u2019 and seeing people connect with her has brought me such joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaningful experience: \u201cTeam Rocky was a place where I was able to be creative and play, and I have had so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next: \u201cI’m spending one more year here at Montclair completing my Master of Arts in Teaching<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
Jordan Fiorentino places her mortarboard on Rocky. (Photo by University Photographer John J. LaRosa)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aly Erario<\/strong>, 2.5 years, Rocky, Roxy and Handler<\/p>\n

Degree: BA in Psychology<\/a> and a minor in Musical Theatre<\/a><\/p>\n

Favorite thing: \u201cOne 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaningful experience: \u201cTeam 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next: \u201cI will be interning with Carnival Cruise Line this summer as a part of their Activity Host Internship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophia Del Monte<\/strong>, 2 years as Roxy and Handler<\/p>\n

Degree: BS in Business Administration<\/a> with concentrations in Management<\/a> and Strategic Human Capital Management.<\/p>\n

Favorite thing: \u201cGetting students excited about the change and making my mascot debut as Roxy was reintroduced and popularized in the new era.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaningful experience: \u201cBeing 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next: \u201cI hope to work full time in Human Resources or start a Human Resources master’s program in the fall \u2013 or both.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rocky
Rocky poses with Team Rocky member Kevin Tay. (Photo by University Photographer John J. LaRosa)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kevin Tay<\/strong>, 1 year as Rocky and Handler<\/p>\n

Degree: BA in Communication and Media Studies<\/a><\/p>\n

Favorite part: \u201cPeople\u2019s reactions. At first people were accustomed to the old Rocky, but people started loving it. It\u2019s still Rocky.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaningful experience: \u201cSpreading school pride and joy is one of the biggest highlights. Learning how much Rocky can impact someone\u2019s day just by playing hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next: \u201cHopefully working within the entertainment industry or music industry doing marketing or advertising.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anastasia Swan<\/strong>, 1.5 years as a Handler<\/p>\n

Degree:\u00a0 BFA in Theatre: Design, Technology and Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Favorite thing: \u201cGetting to experience the upgrade with the team. They pushed our team to just be better overall. The whole team transformed with the suits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaningful experience: \u201cFor 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next: \u201cI plan to do sound for live theater. I have my first official gig as a sound mixer in July and I\u2019m very excited to get out there and share theater with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rocky
Rocky and Team Rocky member Anastasia Swan flex their muscles. (Photo by University Photographer John J. LaRosa)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sam Spencer<\/strong>, 1.5 years as Cousin Ricky, and a handler for Rocky and Roxy<\/p>\n

Degree: BA in Psychology<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Favorite part: \u201cWorking with Roxy and being able to help people take pictures and communicate for the birds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaningful experience: \u201cBeing 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next: \u201cI will be getting my master\u2019s in counseling at Rowan University, as well as being the graduate assistant for Rowan Student Government Association.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. \u201cThese nine students put their heart, soul and sweat into these characters, and I am proud of all of their accomplishments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Team
Team Rocky graduates celebrate their reveals with the big bird on campus Rocky the Red Hawk. (Photo by University Photographer John J. LaRosa)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n