Cheerleader Wants Green and Gold Tradition, History to Remain

Editor's note: The Long Valley Raiders Football Association, an organization that runs the recreation football program for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, has discussed potentially changing its colors and name to align with the West Morris Central Wolfpack football program. The LVRFA Board told Patch it is still doing their due diligence on the potential change and have not decided yet if they will send this proposal to their membership to vote.

Dear Editor,

My name is Brianna Mikol and I cheer for the Long Valley Raiders Pee Wee team. I have been with this program since 1st grade as a Flag RAIDER along with my 30 fellow football brothers and 20 cheerleading sisters.

I do not understand why we must change the name and colors. Our day will come in a few years to be The Wolfpack. One of my very best friends name is Jeffrey Chaplin and his grandfather was one who started this wonderful program over 40 years ago. I would hate to see the tradition break. I believe in my heart that most of the RAIDER cheerleaders and football players would like to keep the history and tradition of green and gold "Raiders".

Once again I don't know why anyone is wanting to change the RAIDER pride and spirit. I started as a RAIDER cheerleader and would like to end my Varsity year as a RAIDER and I believe most of my Raider family feels the same way.

Rock Spring Park has been my second home (in the summer) and the park is known as the heart of the Long Valley Raiders. Please help us keep our signature colors and name!

Sincerely,
Brianna Mikol

Letters to the editor can be sent to jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.