2014 Rutgers Spirit Program Awards and Alumni Honoree Banquet

The 104th Rutgers Spirit Program season came to an official close on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 as coaches, teams, parents, and alumni came together to celebrate.

We awarded our second Loyal Knight Award to Cierra Kaler-Jones of the dance team, we honored alum and coach, Sean Timmons, and Bruce Hornik and Eugene Geis were on hand to bestow an award from the CJ Liegel Foundation. to Marquis Johnson of the co-ed cheer team.

Cierra Kaler-Jones
2014 Loyal Knight Award

Marquis Johnson
2014 CJ Liegel Foundation Scholarship

Sean Timmons
2014 Alumni Honoree

CJ Liegel Foundation Scholarship WinnerMarquis Johnson

Bruce Hornik '99 and Eugene Geiss '00 were on hand at the Rutgers Spirit Program's 2014 Banquet to present the inaugural scholarship of the CJ Liegel Foundation to Marquis Johnson. Bruce's introduction of Marquis and homage to CJ was both emotional and inspirational. You can read it here.

Here's a note from Marquis:
I am so thankful and honored to be the first recipient of the CJ Liegel Foundation Scholarship. Cheerleading has provided me with so many opportunities and I'm grateful that Sean Timmons has been a part of my experience. The Rutgers Spirit program has been an integral part of my college experience and everyone I have met through this program will hold a special place in my heart. Tonight, I realized just how proud I am wear that block R on my chest. I will foreveR be a Scarlet Knight.

2014 Loyal KnightCierra Kaler-Jones

We awarded our second Loyal Knight Award to Cierra Kaler-Jones of the dance team. In addition to the trophy, she will be awarded a $500 scholarship. The Loyal Knight Award is chosen by the Executive Board of the Rutgers University Spirit Program Letterwinners Association based on commitment to their team and to the University.

After reviewing four resumes, Cierra was the unanimous choice as this year's recipient. Here is her impressive resume.

Here's a note from Cierra:
I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have received the 2014 Loyal Knight award by the prestigious alumni of the Rutgers University Spirit Program. Through the past three years, I have fallen in love with the Rutgers University community and all of the opportunities being a part of this program has blessed me with. Being a student at Rutgers University has allowed me to travel the world presenting research, be exposed to the beauty and diversity of this country, and has given me the sense of agency and entitlement that I carry with me in the search for a future career. Being a member of the spirit program has given me the chance to represent something so much larger than myself and be able to do what my heart and soul calls me to do, while sharing that passion with others. I can't thank you enough for giving me this great honor amongst my highly qualified peers. In being the recipient of so many positive experiences from both the spirit program and the greater Rutgers community, there is nothing more I can do than to give back and pay it forward so that others can reap those same benefits. Again, thank you so much for your generosity!

Funds for this scholarship are raised through various events throughout the year, including the annual banquet and through donations.

Honoring Sean Timmons and the 2014 Senior Class

Honoring Sean Timmons this year was a bittersweet event as he's leaving us for a new opportunity in Nashville, Tennessee. But, even though this lifelong New Jersey resident is moving to the Volunteer state, he will forever be a Scarlet Knight.

Sean is a letterwinner from ... well, too far back to remember, and an outstanding coach. As a team member, he contributed to the continuing competitive success of the co-ed team, and as a coach, he has been instrumental in bringing the All Girl team to national prominence with their outstanding performances at the UCA College Cheerleading National Competitions. Sean was introduced by Jason Bass '01, while teammates Bruce Hornik '99 and Eugene Geiss '00 and one of his athletes, Katie Aleman '13, were all in attendance.

We also sent off the graduating seniors with a few tears, a few laughs, and much love. Like Sean, they will forever be Scarlet Knights. This year's graduating seniors were:

Emily Amador (Dance, 4th year)
Rachel Clark (Dance, 3rd year)
Amanda Cozze (All Girl Cheer, 4th year)
Jordan Drozjock (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Hanna Factor (Co-ed/All Girl Cheer, 4th year)
Rachel Finkelstein (Dance, 4th year)
Elizabeth Gervais (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Ahmed Gewiley-Elbakly (Mascot, 2nd year)
Emily Heinemann (Dance, 4th year)
Andrea Hoch (Dance, 4th year)
Marquis Johnson (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Shatasia Knight (All Girl Cheer, 5th year)
Jillian Laga (Dance, 3rd year)
Jennifer Pagliei (All Girl Cheer, 4th year)
Nathan Spare (Co-ed Cheer, 2nd year)
Karen Van (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Dominic Vignali (Co-ed Cheer, 4th year)
Alicia Zerillo (All Girl Cheer, 4th year)

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2014 Spirit Program Seniors are presented with their awards, many of which were for four years of participation.

Katie Aleman '13 was on hand to congratulate former teammates and to honor her coach, Sean Timmons. Pictured here with Katie is Sean's girlfriend, Paige Colon.