DETROIT, Mich. -- Michigan's original Special Needs All Star Cheer Team, The Pride of Trilogy, has been selected to perform at the U.S. Finals of Cheerleading. The finals will be held in Virginia Beach in May.

The Pride of Trilogy will be the first special needs cheerleading squad to perform at finals. Now, the Cheerleading Training Center of Michigan is fundraising to cover the cost of the girls' trip. Their goal is to make the opportunity free for the team, especially considering the amount of medical bills the families face. Relying completely on donations, it is hoped that each girl, along wtih one parent, can attend finals.

This year's special needs team of 21 girls ranges in age from 7 to 20 years. These athletes cover the gamut of special needs, including: blindness, pulmonary disorders, Down syndrome, autism, hydrocephalus, hearing loss, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and mental impairment.

Michigan's original All Star Cheer program, Trilogy, was founded 14 years ago by Steve and Angela Goralski. The team became part of the Cheerleading Training Center of Michigan, which is now home to over 200 athletes. In 2007, the Goralskis took their mission one step further and created the The Pride of Trilogy.

The goal of the team is to encourage the girls to try new things and gain the life skills of teamwork and dedication. The Pride of Trilogy is a program free to the squad.

If you have any questions or would like to donate, contact the Cheerleading Training Center of Michigan at 586-532-4171 or click here