HUNTINGDON COLLEGE

News Release

December 4, 2023
For more information, contact:
Dr. Anthony Leigh, aleigh@hawks.huntingdon.edu

H-A-W-K-E-M, Hawk ‘em, Seniors, Hawk ‘em!

Montgomery, Ala. – Ten Huntingdon senior cheerleaders were honored on Senior Day during the home football game on November 11. These Hawks have given enormous amounts of time and energy to the Huntingdon cheerleading program, helping the squad maintain its reputation as the one of the most outstanding cheer programs in all of NCAA Division III. In this feature story, these enthusiastic and highly-spirited ladies share what’s next for each of them and a special memory of their time as a Huntingdon cheerleader they will take with them beyond college. Responses are recorded from left to right in order of the picture above.

Natalie Harris ’24 is an elementary education / collaborative special education major from Phenix City, Alabama, with plans to serve as a resource special education teacher for first or second grade students.  “I will remember spending time and learning from some of the strongest women, lifting each other up…literally!  Going to new places and exploring places with thirty-something of my best friends.”

Bailee Smith ’24 of Prattville, Alabama is an elementary education / collaborative special education major with plans to teach in the River Region.  “I will always cherish after practice dinner in the dining hall with my group of girls. I will also remember the way cheering with the band gave me chills.  And I will never forget the way we always lifted each other up in the weight room.”

Grace Wiggins ’24 of Dothan, Alabama, is an elementary education major with plans to teach in the Montgomery / Prattville area to “make an impact on a student’s life like some teachers did when I was younger.” She notes, “Memories that I will take with me about cheering at Huntingdon will be the overnight travel games on the bus and always being in the back talking with people about life and laughing at the craziest things, the many pyramids we did, and getting to eat the fabulous food at our tailgates for home games.”

Erin McIntyre ’24 is a biology major with secondary education certification from Selma, Alabama with a future as a high school science teacher.  “One of the best memories I made as a cheerleader at Huntingdon was the bus rides / away games. I have gained so many relationships by traveling with my team. Five-hour bus rides and overnight hotel stays will truly allow you to open up to those you might not be close with.  Being with these girls has truly impacted me in the best way possible. I am so blessed to have been apart of this team as well as be a representative of Huntingdon College.”

Dezi Price-Grant ’24 of Palm Bay, Florida, is a psychology major with a minor in communication studies.  She is currently applying to graduate schools to obtain a master’s degree in counseling.  “I’ll miss the practices and the away games that allow us to get closer, and the relationships.”

Shannon McCarty ’24 from Boulder, Colorado, completed her degree in business administration at the end of the Fall semester.  This spring, she will begin working in the Disney College Program in the Orlando parks, with plans to continue a career in hospitality. “Away games were some of the memories I will hold very close to my heart. I will always remember our crazy energy on the bus after a win, or getting to know a teammate a little more because we were paired together as hotel roomies, as well as growing stronger as a person being part of a team and what that has taught me.”

Campbell Thornton ’24 is a psychology major from Wetumpka, Alabama.  Following graduation from Huntingdon, she plans to obtain a master’s degree in forensic psychology.  “My favorite part about HC cheer was stunting and having a big group of friends to have fun with and do what we love together.”

Madison Jasinski ’24 of Port St. Joe, Florida, completed her degree at the end of the Fall term with a major in sport management.  She plans to become a physical education teacher.  “The thing I will take the most is having a family of amazing women and them being my home away from home.”

Mary Grace McInnis ’24 is an exercise science / pre-physical therapy major hailing from Geneva, Alabama.  She plans to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy upon completion of her Huntingdon degree.  “I will forever cherish the lifelong friendships that I have made through cheer.”

Mackenzie Nolan ’24 of Guntersville, Alabama, finished her Huntingdon degree in November with a major in accounting.  She has already accepted a job with the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.  “I’m taking with me the bonds that I have made with each of the girls on the team.”

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Huntingdon College, in accordance with Title IX and Section 106.8 of the 2020 Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, other applicable federal and state law, and stated College policy, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.  Similarly, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age and/or national origin in its education program