The 2019-2020 Missouri Southern State University cheerleading squad will have a McDonald County look.
Bailey Barrett recently signed to cheer for the Lions, where she will be joined by fellow McDonald County alums Madison Smith and Hannah Leonard.
"I was very excited about signing with Southern," Barrett said. "I have wanted to cheer in college since I was a freshman. It was a great experience to have my family and all my friends here to watch me sign."
Barrett said she chose Missouri Southern for a variety of reasons.
"It is close to home and all my family has gone there," Barrett said. "It has a very beautiful campus and I have lots of friends going to Southern."
She said it will be great continuing to cheer with Smith and reunite with Leonard, who graduated from MCHS in 2018.
"I am very excited about cheering with Madison and Hannah," Barrett said. "I have cheered with them so long and I can't wait to continue to cheer with them. I have cheered with Madison since third grade."
Barrett said she attended a tryout in order to be selected to the MSSU cheer squad.
"We had a three-day tryout period," Barrett said. "It was very nerve-wracking because there is lots of talent at Missouri Southern. I was very nervous until I got the email telling me I had made it."
While at MCHS, Barrett was named Most Responsible and earned the award for Best Backspot. She was also a member of the Diamond Dolls, National Honor Society and the yearbook staff.
"I want to thank my family for always pushing me to be my best," Barrett said. "Also my coaches for helping me and all my friends I made while cheering."
She is the daughter of Brandon and Mandy Barrett of Noel.
Bailey Barrett plans to major in nursing at MSSU.
Sports on 05/16/2019