By: Evi Fromm

On November 10, Cali Barker made Bellbrook cheerleading history by signing to join the Davenport University cheer and stunt team.

Cali has cheered for the BHS competition cheer team since her freshman year and has cheered for the Varsity Football team since her sophomore year.

Jonele Terrell, BHS football cheer coach since 2006, has had many girls go on to cheer in college, but Barker is the first one who has formally signed with a team and received an athletic cheerleading scholarship.

“When Cali shared her news, we were overjoyed with excitement for her,” Terrell said. “Cali is hard-working and so talented, this is well deserved.

I knew this was a goal of hers and she has continuously pushed herself over the years to be a strong athlete. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments! Davenport is getting a solid athlete who expects perfection and growth from not only herself but her teammates as well.”

Cali grew up on the West Coast, moving to Bellbrook in middle school. “I am a bit surprised I chose a school colder than Ohio,” Barker said. Davenport is in Michigan. “I know eventually I will end up out [west] again, but deep down, I am not truly ready to leave all my friends and family quite yet.”

While searching for colleges, Barker realized that some of the bigger schools she was considering either did not have her intended major of sports management or do not consider cheer a sport, so she would not be able to receive scholarships.

 “Davenport was actually the first school to show up on my ‘for you’ page when I was a freshman. I thought to myself, ‘Dang they’re good…’” Barker said.

In June 2022, Barker attended a cheer clinic at The Ohio State University where she was able to introduce herself to the Davenport coaches and athletes. During their discussion she realized that Davenport had everything that she was looking for in a college.

“I cannot wait to meet/get closer with all my future teammates and to compete on the Bandshell in Daytona!!!!” Barker said.

Barker would like to acknowledge all of the people that have supported her along her cheerleading journey. “I would not be at the level I am today without my All-Star coaches, O’Neal Ray and Justin McKeever, and my high school coaches Jonele Terrell, Nikki Kosins, Britney Gardner, Holly Levine and Debi Schweiterman.”

Terrell and all of Barker’s coaches are so proud to see her accomplish this goal, and know she will go on to do great things. “We are looking forward to seeing her wear [Davenport] red and grey proudly!” Terrell said.