Some Kannapolis City Schools students got the thrill of a lifetime when they got to “Shop with a Panther” earlier this week. The event was organized by the United Way, the Carolina Panthers and Academy Sports and Outdoors.

Each participating Kannapolis City Schools student received a $250 gift certificate and was paired with a Carolina Panthers player to help them go through the store and buy gifts in the Academy Sports and Outdoors store. Students got everything from shoes and clothes to bikes and drones.