Hodges, Jessen sign to cheer for Razorbacks
GENTRY — Gentry High School seniors Tucker Hodges and Isaac Jessen signed letters of intent on Friday to cheer for the Razorbacks at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville after graduation from Gentry High School later this month.
Hodges has been a member of the Gentry High School cheerleading squad for three years, and Jessen joined the squad this school year. Both tried out for the Razorback team and were offered scholarships to attend the U of A in the fall and to be part of the university’s cheerleading team.
Before signing their letters of intent, Hodges and Jessen thanked all who supported them as members of the cheer squad in Gentry and thanked all who came out to support them on Friday.
Hodges will join the spirit squad for a four-day statewide tour, the Razorback Roadshow, this month. Jessen plans to focus on his graduation and join the squad after graduation.
Tony Morris, director of the university’s spirit programs and community outreach, also attended and spoke at the signing event, welcoming both to their new roles as Razorback cheerleaders.
Hodges and Jessen are the fifth and sixth male graduates from Gentry High School to receive scholarships to cheer at the collegiate level in recent years. Dustin Stoufflet made the University of Arkansas Cheer Squad in 2015. He cheered for one semester at the U of A in Fayetteville during the 2015-16 year and then transferred to the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he also cheered on a scholarship. In May 2022, Lucas Guinn signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks, and Aiden Whitehead signed with Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia. Ty Hays signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks in May 2023.
According to Joni Wilson, more than 25 Gentry High School graduates have gone on to cheer at the collegiate level during her tenure as senior high school cheer coach.