Monday, May 19, 2025
Margherita Pizzi ’25, an international student from Italy, takes home top prize
by Rachel Stengel '14, '20
Margherita Pizzi ’25, an international student from Italy, is the proud winner of a new Toyota in University’s 10th annual Cruisin’ From Commencement contest. Organized by the University's student-run radio station, 107.7 The Bronc WRRC-FM, this year’s contest boasted a number of additional prizes to celebrate a decade of sending students into their next chapter with a brand-new car.
Pizzi, who earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science, nabbed the grand prize, a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross L with two years of maintenance and roadside assistance, courtesy of Team Toyota of Princeton. CM Colleton ’25, a film and television major, earned second place, a Royal Caribbean cruise for two to the Bahamas, courtesy of Josh Harry Travel, while Janaya Ross ’25, a criminal justice major, secured the third-place prize of $1,000, provided by Fulton Bank.
The contest challenges graduating students to create a two-and-a-half-minute video about their Rider University experience. In her winning video, Pizzi said being an international student can be challenging, but finding community and making connections at Rider helped her “embrace this cultural change and grow through it.”
“Rider University represents everyone,” she says. “Everyone here finds their own place and voice. Being an international student is not always easy. But here at Rider University, I never felt like I was on my own.”
The top 10 finalists were selected by a panel of judges and participated in a live finale on May 16 to announce the top three prizes. All 10 finalists had their graduation parties catered by the #GetForky Gretalia Hospitality Group of restaurants. This year to celebrate the contest’s 10th anniversary, all entrants received a $100 gift card to the #GetForky Gretalia Hospitality Group.
"10 years, 10 cars, 10 winners — never in our wildest dreams did we ever imagine that Cruisin' From Commencement would become something that both undergraduate and graduate students would look forward to entering year after year,” says John Mozes, 107.7 The Bronc’s general manager. “Our strong partnership with Team Toyota of Princeton has enabled us to help these students to hit the highway of life at 65 mph and never look back.”