After years of pursuing her passion in dance, Russellville High School senior Destiny Hatton has the chance to dance at the collegiate level.

Hatton signed Wednesday afternoon to attend the University of North Alabama and be a member of The Roar, the university’s pom squad.

“Since I started, I knew dance was my passion,” Hatton said. “I love cheer, and I’ve always loved doing cheer, but dance is where my heart has been.”

Hatton has been dancing for 12 years for Addie’s Flip, Tip and Tap and cheering for the Golden Tigers since seventh grade.

In recent years, Hatton has combined her two loves to begin choreographing dances for the RHS cheerleaders.

“To get to see the squad dancing to my work – it was like a dream come true,” Hatton said.

Hatton will be the first RHS cheerleader to be a member of The Roar.

“We are so proud of her and her hard work and dedication,” said RHS cheerleading coach Stephanie Mayfield. “We are really excited about going to UNA to see her dance.”

Hatton said she grew up around UNA, so she knew it was the university she wanted to attend so she could stay close to home.

Hatton will begin attending classes in the fall with plans to major in criminal justice.