Four BHS cheerleaders are signing with the local college to become Baker University Wildcats.  Eboni Gerrard, Malin Harris, Mikayla Michael and Niella Phillips all are moving on to the next level in their cheerleading careers.

Harris wanted to sign with Baker because of her connection to the university.

“I have grown up in Baldwin and my childhood was spent on Baker campus, so it always just felt like home,” she said.

Harris and Michael both wanted to cheer because of Patty Lenning.

“I can still remember the day I picked up a cheer form in 7th grade and Patty told me she was so excited to see me be a cheerleader,” Harris said. “I am the cheerleader I am today because of her.”

“I wanted to cheer because Patty Lenning urged me to join the team in middle school,” Micheal said.

Harris has been cheering for 5 years, Michael 4 years, Gerrard 3 years, and Phillips 5 years.

“I already knew I wanted to go to Baker and I was not sure I wanted to cheer in college and when I got accepted I just decided that I would try it and went and got to go stunt with them and I realized I wanted to. Also I get to cheer with some of my best friends for four more years,” Gerrard said.

Michael found a very welcoming environment with the Baker cheer squad. 

“I wanted to sign with Baker because their cheer team was very welcoming and they were all so nice, especially the coaches,” Michael said.

Gerrard wanted to sign with Baker because all her friends were doing it.

“All my friends were doing it and I thought it would be a good way to spend more time with them cause they were always cheering so I decided to do it to be with them and just for fun too,” Gerrard said.

Phillips’ sister inspired her to start cheerleading.

“My sister inspired me to start cheer,” Phillips said. “I was in middle school, and my sister got into the high school cheer team.” “I would go to her practices and learn new skills until I started  cheer in 7th grade.”