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Hey there, Colts Nation! I'm Cassia, and this is my third season as a sweetheart of the horseshoe. This year is also my first year being named a captain! It has been an absolute honor leading a team of remarkable women. We have been working hard to be ready for the first time we take the field in August!
I was born in Lebanon, Indiana but grew up in Lake Villa, Illinois. I may have been the only Colts fan at my school, but when we beat the Bears in the Super Bowl, I thoroughly enjoyed my bragging rights. A few other things I love: my faith, being a boilermaker, race cars, baking and spending time with the best family, friends and boyfriend I could ever ask for.
It's hard to enjoy this summer when I am so anxious for football season, but then again, I am a high school Nutrition and Wellness teacher, so I am certainly enjoying a bit more spare time. Aside from teaching and cheering for our boys in blue, I also coach the dance team at my school. These spectacular girls were named your Indiana Division III Hip Hop State Champs! I am so blessed (and BUSY) to have my three dream jobs, and I wouldn't trade them for the world!
This was your third year of auditions with the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders. What's a ritual you do before auditions or how do you prepare in order to stand out amongst the other hopefuls?
On my way to each audition, I listen to my pump up song - "Angle" by Akon. In order to stand out, I dance like I'm having the time of my life. The good thing is, I'm not pretending either!
This past week you went to Haiti with other NFL Cheerleaders on a mission trip. How did you get involved with that?
I traveled to Haiti for a week through an organization called I'mMe. What a life changing experience! We lived with orphans and worked to restore love and fight malnourishment. I went there hoping to make a difference, but these children totally flipped my perspectives. Haiti is a place of joy and beauty, and I cannot wait to go again soon. I also made some best friends in the process (oh and got about 100 bug bites).
What's your favorite memory from your week in Haiti?
It's hard to pick just one, but I feel that those kid's smiles are engraved in my brain! I just loved the mornings of worship music, playing with toys and laughing with those kiddos.
This is your first season as a captain on the squad. What responsibilities do the captains have?
In a way, this whole team is full of captains. Each girl brings a unique strength to the team and everyone leads by example. Which makes the captain's jobs much easier! We work to make sure the routines are polished, go over details, call out dances on game days and are the main liaison between the team and coach. Shout out to my squad 2 beauties!
Being a nutrition and wellness instructor, what's the most important thing you want your students to take away at the end of the school year?
I am not naive to the fact that kids will be kids and they will eat what they think taste good. My students have three main food groups - pop tarts, hot Cheetos, and honey buns. My goal is to teach them how to make homemade meals, plan healthy meals, budget for groceries and teach basic cooking skills in the kitchen. They may not use this information now, but I am positive they will look back on it one day and apply it to their lives! I get a little creative in my lesson plans so that it will be hard to forget.
