It was one of those things that during the whole entire month you never knew if that would be your last time ever dancing,вЂќ said Ms. They challenged me physically, emotionally, and mentally.

вЂњThey were a month long and were very tough. вЂњAuditions were probably the most intense process I have ever been though,вЂќ said Ms. CassвЂ™ years of dance and cheering, the auditions were indeed tough. вЂњThey had to learn different routines from scratch on three consecutive nights before taking the weekend to prepare for the final audition,вЂќ said Richelle Grant, cheerleader choreographer/coordinator.Дespite Ms. She worked as an assistant dance instructor for TonyaвЂ™s Academy as well.ДЄccording to a news release from the Carolina Panthers, the 40 finalists were pushed harder than ever this year. Cass also graduated from TonyaвЂ™s Academy of Dance in 2009 after 15 years of dance training. вЂњAnd IвЂ™ve cheered since third grade, including four years as a varsity cheerleader at East Wilkes and all the way up to college at Liberty.вЂќ Cass was part of the Junior TopcatsвЂ™ program for girls, ages 7-14. Much of her life has been surrounded by cheerleading and attending football games. IвЂ™m just so blessed and excited to be able to have this amazing opportunity and be a part of a great organization,вЂќ said Ms. I have had this goal my whole life and itвЂ™s truly a dream come true. вЂњOh my goodnessвЂ¦ IвЂ™m still kind of in shock a little. Cass was thrilled when she learned she had made the Panther squad. She is a rising senior at Liberty University and will graduate May 2013.

Cass is the daughter of Mark and Michele Cass of Ronda. Tryouts were held May 5-May 30 and the cheerleading squad was announced May 31. She is one of 24 women selected for the Carolina Panthers football team, based in Charlotte. Laken Cass, a 2009 graduate of East Wilkes High School, will be cheering for the Carolina Panthers as a TopCat Cheerleader for the 2012 season.

Topcat auditions