Jasper cheerleaders at the “Pie a Cheerleader or Buy a Pie” fundraiser.
REYNA ORLOVA / THE QUADRANGLE
Reyna Orlova, Contributor
Manhattan University’s (MU) cheerleaders hosted a fundraiser on the quad Wednesday, Sept. 23, where students could purchase a slice of pie or pay to pie a cheerleader.
The stand offered pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, along with plates of whipped cream for students who wanted to pie a cheerleader.
Grace Arias, a senior civil engineering major, shared with The Quadrangle that the event reflected what cheerleading is meant to represent on campus.
“The purpose of being a cheerleader is to show your school pride… and to try and bring everyone together with that Jasper pride,” Arias said. “Being approachable, being someone who can go and talk to anyone from any grade, major, anything like that.”
Arias continued to explain that the cheerleading community’s bonds extend beyond the team itself to the broader student body, representing a web of school pride among all grades and majors, even if that pride sometimes comes with a plate of whipped cream to the face.
REYNA ORLOVA / THE QUADRANGLE
Krysha Amanda de Guzman, a senior double majoring in political science and criminology, shared that the cheer team is receiving a scholarship for the first time this year. An exciting addition she credited with boosting the team’s overall morale.
“It just started this year – we’re actually getting a scholarship for the cheer team,” de Guzman said. “A select few individuals are going to be getting scholarships during the season.”
Arias noted that the “pie a cheerleader” event is an annual tradition for the team. Her teammate, Ree Civil, a freshman criminology major, noted that the proceeds support the team’s finances.
“This is to raise money to help funds be less for the team,” Civil said. “And also to be able to afford our uniforms and be able to go to Daytona [Fla.] with the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.”
Civil also shared that more opportunities to engage with the team are coming soon. The team held an open gym Thursday, Sept. 24, from 8 – 10 p.m., and will host a special session for children interested in cheer on Oct. 17.
Additionally, two MU students also shared their impressions of the team to The Quadrangle. Rafael Romano, a senior mechanical engineering major, explained he associates the cheerleaders with campus energy.
“[When I think of the cheerleading team,] I think of high energy,” Romano said. “I think of the sporting events here on campus, and then I think of a lot of fun and positivity.”
Blake Perkins, a sophomore exercise science major and a member of the men’s volleyball team, echoed that sentiment.
“Cheerleading is a good sport,” Perkins said. “It’s really important, especially to the school culture.”
Other members from the Jasper community alike noted that MU’s cheerleaders carry a strong sense of school spirit in their interactions across campus. Even those outside the team acknowledged the sense of acceptance and enthusiasm the cheerleaders bring to Manhattan University’s student body.
Arias and de Guzman continue to invite students of any flexibility or training level to contact the team through @manhattan.cheer on Instagram, whether they’re looking to support the cheerleaders from the sidelines or join the squad themselves.