Football Players, Managers, and Cheerleaders Celebrate PINK OUT Senior Night

The Nutley Raiders senior football players, managers and cheerleaders held their Senior Night on Friday, October 6. The event kicked off at 6:00 p.m. with a rose ceremony honoring the student-athletes, where the families of the graduating Raiders were invited on the field and presented with the opportunity to hand their child a rose to signify their last hoorah as a Nutley Raider Varsity athlete. 

In total, twenty-one seniors were recognized: eight cheerleaders, six football players, and three football managers. The seniors on the cheerleading team included: Captain Skyler Yero, Captain Sofia Laracuente, Captain Kaitlyn Manalang, Captain Sabrina Sperry, Ava Farro, Carliana Del Guercio, Alana Sanabria, Kaylee Bellenger, Alayna Cullari, and Isabel Vilchez. Senior football team members included Captain Brandon Lucia, Captain Mitchell Maniero, Captain Vincenzo Rizzuto, Captain Anthony Pinal, Michael Zitola, Richard Nguyen, Donald Slane, Logan Acosta and William Jennings. The senior team managers honored were Marissa Minichini, Madison Walsh, Stefania Ugliarolo, and Francesca Califano. 

The theme for the game was “Pink Out” so the crowd was inundated with pink on top of their usual maroon and gray. Student section leader senior Mia DiPiano led the crowd with various chants. Senior Connor Quinn said, "Mia did a great job getting the crowd going. It really helped lift up the overall vibe of the game." 

The field was decorated with pink posters, banners, and balloons. Breast Cancer Awareness Nutley Football apparel was sold at all corners of the field, coupled with Student Council officers walking around with the items for sale. Senior class officers were also in charge of selling food and drinks at the snack stand. 

Once the ceremony was complete, the annual Senior Night football game commenced as the Nutley Raiders took on the Wayne Valley Indians. After the first half, the cheerleaders performed their traditional halftime routine in the middle of the Oval for the crowd. Senior Cheerleader Alana Sanabria said, "The energy was crazy and that was one of the most enjoyable times performing our halftime dance this season. I'm going to miss doing our halftime routine for the crowd on the Oval." 

The game resulted in a 35-0 loss for the Raiders. Senior Captain Brandon Lucia said, "Although we lost, I'm still very proud of the effort given by all. At the end of the day, it's the memories you make and time you share with your teammates on the field that matters, not the final outcome of the game." 

Senior Cheerleading Captain Skyler Yero said, "It was a very bittersweet moment for all the seniors as it was their last time playing, performing, and managing on their home field. As excited as we all are for new beginnings, our childhood is quickly slipping away and we're all trying to cherish these last few moments we have together doing what we love."