PANAMA CITY BEACH — A program for gifted athletes in Bay County is trying to raise money to compete in a cheerleading competition on the national stage.
Team Topaz, a special needs team of 12 kids, have a chance to perform in Atlanta on Feb. 13, 14 and 15, at Cheersport, a national and international cheerleading event with over a thousand teams. For the first time, Team Topaz will be able to compete against another special needs team. However, a small local gym has scarce funding for the trip, according to organizers.
World Class Athletics sponsors Team Topaz, which is made up of people 7 to 20 years old with varying disabilities from autism to traumatic brain injury, fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. World Class Athletics owner Teresa Alexander said the children’s disabilities do not hinder their passion for sport.
“They certainly fell in love with it,” she said. “Now they can’t get enough of it, just like the other children.”
Team Topaz has been training once a week for the past year, performing throughout the state, with a hope that they could get a chance to perform for a large audience, Alexander said. Cheersport is a nationally televised event, but Team Topaz is undeterred.
“They know it’s a big deal but they aren’t nervous,” Alexander said. “They’re ready to perform.”
Much of the expenses for the gifted athletes — their uniforms and entry fees for the children to perform all over Florida — have been raised by parents and donation events. However, to pay for the gear, food and lodging of special needs kids, their families and care-givers, World Class Athletics is reaching out to the public for donations to offset the cost.
“The things that typical kids take for granted, for these kids it’s the best time they will ever have in their lives,” Alexander said. “This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for children who have worked so hard for years to get on the stage with thousands of other children and be the stars that they are meant to be.”
Donations should be made directly to World Class Athletics, 17655 Ashley Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32407. If you need further information, contact Kirk or Teresa Alexander or CJ Green, head coach at 850-235-4155 any afternoon after 2 p.m.
“Please consider giving our kids a fighting chance to perform at a National Event,” Alexander said. “They are truly amazing and have overcome so much in their young lives, they are an inspiration to us all. I know in my heart that we have the best community out there and our kids can and will make Bay County proud.”
Want To Help?
- Donations should be made directly to World Class Athletics, 17655 Ashley Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32407.