OAKLEAF – There’s a cheerleading team in Clay County’s backyard with world class caliber and they need help getting to a national championship in New Orleans.

The Oakleaf Sports Association’s team received a full-paid bid to compete at The One Championships in New Orleans, which is one of the largest cheerleading competitions in the country. Their ability to compete is covered by the bid, but it doesn’t cover all of the costs.

“People compete from all over the world,” association director Ashley Levy said. “It’s a very prestigious thing, especially for us, and it’s amazing that they got this bid, but it covers $365 per athlete and that cost does not cover all of the lodging and transportation costs.”

Levy said the team has been working hard to raise funds for the trip, but she said the COVID-19 pandemic has made things difficult. The girls can’t stand in front of Publix, asking for help from the local shoppers. They’ve tried asking local businesses for sponsorships and donations, but many of those businesses are struggling this year more than ever as well.

Makayla Mott and Kayla Havens are both members of the 18-year-and-younger team and they said they’ve had to shift to online formats for fundraising. They’ve sold popcorn, pasta and other items online, but reaching out to people virtually isn’t as effective as in-person fundraising, they said.

Levy said anyone wishing to help out can reach out at the official OSA Oakleaf Knights Youth Cheerleading Facebook page or the OSA Oakleaf Knights Cheer Instagram. She said that’s a great way to keep up with all of the team’s fundraising efforts and an easy way to get involved.

“Our girls need help to make this dream come true and on that same note, we want to let our community know it has national championship cheerleaders in their county,” Levy said. “Every time we show up to a competition, we’re ‘repping’ Clay County.”

For Havens and Mott, they’re looking for all the help in the world to make this dream happen.

“I believe the excitement on the team is through the roof right now,” Havens said. “This is my first year cheering with Oakleaf and it’s the overall team’s first time being asked to compete in another state and we all want this so bad.

“If we could get some community help, we can make [Clay County] proud.”

Mott said this is her third year with Oakleaf and eight year overall and she’s never seen a team more excited and prepared for something in her cheerleading career.

“We’ve never been there, but to be able to compete for a championship like this, with some of the best teams in the world, it would be amazing,” she said.