Livingston Academy Wildcats Dancer Laney Cummings took her love for dancing across the United States.
Cummings said she came across the sport in eighth grade after she moved from Maryland to Overton County. Cummings danced during her final year in Maryland and loved the sport so much she decided to pursue it fully, dropping basketball in the process. Cummings said she chose the sport because of what it can provide.
“It’s not only important when you learn your dances but it also gives you such a strong chance to really bond with your coaches and all the teammates that surround you,” Cummings said. “And I feel it just kind of brings everyone closer together when you can work with each other professionally and help each other out and just know it all comes from a place of love.”
Cummings was not able to join the dance team during her freshman year. Heading into her sophomore year, Cummings found out when dance tryouts were going to be held. The tryouts would be held in April and would last three days, graded by judges at the end that would determine whether or not she made the team. Cummings said she entered the tryouts with a lot of emotion.
“My first time, I was horrified,” Cummings said. “I was so, so scared that I wasn’t going to make it, but I was so, so excited that I did make it.”
Cummings did eventually join the team, beginning her first routine at Livingston’s first home football game that season. Cummings’ excitement grew as she continued cheering for the Wildcats.
“I think I was more excited for my junior and senior year to be able to help out,” Cummings said. “[I wanted] to be able to teach the other girls the dances and just be able to be that upper role model.”
Cummings enters her senior year dancing in all Wildcat home games this season. Cummings will dance at her final football game October 17 when Livingston faces Macon County in their final regular season home game.
