GUYTON — Jaelyn Davis will find herself in new surroundings but familiar colors this fall.

The diminutive South Effngham senior is headed to the University of South Carolina to cheer for the Gamecocks football, basketball and volleyball teams while pursuing a degree in sports management. She will receive athletic and academic scholarships.

“So beauty and brains all in one,” said Amanda Ramsey, South Effingham’s cheerleading coach, during Davis’ April 27 signing ceremony. “We are very, very proud of her.”

Ramsey listed several of Davis’ leading attributes during the event in the South Effingham auditorium.

“She is an exemplary student-athlete,” Ramsey said. “She has an extremely high level of drive and determination when it comes to meeting her goals. She not only sets her goals but she exceeds her goals.

“For the four years that I’ve known her, that is the impression that I’ve always gotten from her both academically and on the blue mat.”

Davis was a member of South Effingham’s Game Day cheerleading team that recently placed second in the state. Her competitive cheerleading squad also won four straight region titles, extending the school’s overall streak to seven.

“I believe that her time as a Mustang cheerleader here will transition beautifully,” Ramsey said. “The colors (garnet and black) match and everything into being a Gamecock cheerleader.”

Davis, who has been involved in cheerleading since she was 8, displayed her determination during the recruiting process. She sent videos to coaches in order to earn a tryout.

During a brief statement after signing her letter of intent, Davis thanked God, her family, her teammates and her coaches for their support.

“This did not come easy but the work was definitely worth it,” she said.

Davis closed her remarks with a hearty, “Go Gamecocks!”