New Squad Gets a New Leader

Baker Takes Over Varsity Squad

Avalynn Slaten, Photographer

September 12, 2025

Kylie Flannery

The cheer squad show off a stunt.

The Varsity cheer squad has a new look on the sidelines, and they also have a new look in the stands with a new coach, Elementary teacher Liana Baker.

Elementary teacher Liana Baker (Ava Middleton)

Former coaches Heather Nichols and Courtney Brown resigned at the end of the 2024-2025 cheer season. At the board meeting on May 12, Baker was hired as the new head coach.

Tryouts were held from June 2nd to 5th. During the summer, the squad had conditioning three times a week and practice twice a week. They also held a program for all the Paoli squads where they learned the school song, chants, and had team bonding. To raise money for uniforms, the cheerleaders participated in a Fund Your Uniform fundraiser.

“My goal this season is to establish a solid base of sideline expectation, school spirit promotion, and showcase their stunting and tumbling skills. As the season progresses, I expect the girls to continue to rise that bar! With only a few games in, I am very proud of the girls and look forward to seeing them grow this season,” said Baker.

The squad will be hosting a fall cheer clinic on September 19, with another scheduled during basketball season.

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About the Contributors

Avalynn Slaten, Web Staff

Avalynn Slaten is in her Junior year at Paoli Jr-Sr High School and 4th year on the staff. She was eager to come back and take on another year of adventure. Some of her activities outside of school include work, homework, TV, and reading. Slaten has worked at Wendy´s since she was 14. Slaten says that everyone should come to Wendy´s, not just for food but also to see her while she works. This is Slaten´s second year being a photographer for the PHS staff member. On the weekends, Slaten spends her time with her boyfriend, friends, and family.

Kylie Flannery, Yearbook Editor-In-Chief

Kylie Flannery is a Senior at PHS, known for her active involvement in school activities. She serves as one of the Yearbook Editor-In-Chiefs of the Hillcrest and is the president of the service club group, Tri-Hi-Y. Flannery has also been doing photography since her freshman year and helps volunteer for the Essentials project during school. She looks forward to starting her dental assisting classes later this school year. Outside of school, Flannery enjoys spending time with friends, family, and going shopping.

Ava Middleton, Chief Photographer

Ava Middleton is a junior at Paoli High School. She has a few roles in the media staff. Ava is Hillcrest’s Chief Photographer and sometimes helps out with yearbook pages. She has been doing photography for about 2 years, and it could be a possible career for her. Ava is competing with Faith Kinnaman to get the most photos published. If she decides to go in a different direction, she will attend Ivy Tech Bloomington to become a paramedic. Another hobby Ava has is Color Guard. She has been a part of Color Guard since her seventh-grade year and just got promoted to captain. When she’s not at school or practice, she’s most likely at Dairy Queen working.