Kendell Golatt will continue her prosperous cheer and academic career at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The Marion senior made it official on Monday afternoon by signing a letter of intent at UAPB, where she will enroll in time for the fall. “Right now I'm just very happy because I didn't expect this at all,” said Golatt. “At first, I was very nervous about it all. But once I saw my name then I got excited.” Golatt earned her opportunity at UAPB by conducting a virtual tryout the week after prom on Saturday, April 30. The virtual tryout was “actually easy because I used our school fight song and cheer,” said the senior. “Kendell has always been a joy to coach because she has a strong work ethic and is so determined,” said Marion cheer sponsor Lauren Brinkley. “She has a special way of setting goals for herself and attaining them no matter what. We've had girls in the past encounter challenges, but they'd develop a mental block or they'd be afraid to work through things, but Kendell has never been like that.” Golatt took a visit to a UAPB football game in the fall and “once I saw the cheerleaders that was it,” said the senior cheerleader. “I love the campus, and how it's set up. I was just sold immediately.” The hard-working Golatt impressed her coaches by working extra on her technique and “genuinely always wanting the team to do well,” said Brinkley. “She leads by example. If we ever made them do something again, she was always eager to do it and never complained. She's a great young lady and I'm proud of her.”