Blind cheerleader who uses shadows to coordinate her moves dances into youth national championships

Cartwheeling and back flipping across stage 12-year-old Alyvia Baylor looks as synchronized as the rest of her cheerleading teammates - the one difference is she's legally blind. 

The tween from Winters, California, has been dancing as part of the Winters Junior Warriors cheer squad for over a year.

According to CBS.com, she performs moves by coordinating herself with the shadows that move around her.

Along with her blindness, Alyvia has a number of other developmental disabilities, impacting her communication and learning skills. 

However, she hasn't let these issues hold her back.
 

his Sunday evening she gave it her all at the Capitol City Youth cheer championships in Sacramento, California.

Wearing her black, red and white cheerleading kit and waving her pom-poms she performed a routine on stage with the rest of her cheer squad.

The team took home first place in the contest.

They are now set to compete in the upcoming youth national championships run by JAMZ Cheer and Dance in Las Vegas next January.

Alyvia's team mates say that her happy and smiley demeanor helps boost their spirit.

'She always makes us not nervous. So it’s like she’s always there for us,' said Brooke Benson.

'Every time I see her, I smile, because she makes me happy,' added Hunter Freeman.

Alyvia's father, Rudy praised her teammates on Facebook for their ongoing support.

'The girls have never questioned if Alyvia can or can't do something. They let her try repeatedly no matter what,' he wrote.

'A lot of times they even let her do it during the routine just because they know she is giving it her all and don't want to take it away. 

'The team is a great group of girls and always take care of my daughter no matter what. A true team.'