ST. JOSEPH – Sydney Shepard keeps on dancing. Shepard, a 2021 Excelsior Springs High School graduate who was part of the Tigerettes dance team, is part of the Mystics Dance team at Missouri Western State University. She performs for crowds during various sporting events. As was the case at Excelsior Springs, Shepard is juggling athletics with academics. An early childhood education major, she plans on becoming a teacher and substitute teaching in the area. “I would like to … (let) all of the current and future ESHS students to know that the busyness and stress of being a student-athlete is 100% worth it,” Shepard said. “There are times where it can be overwhelming to juggle schedules, but the memories you make and the lessons you learn are priceless.” Shepard’s dancing and academic pursuits at Missouri Western follow four years as a Tigerette, the last two years as captain. Under her leadership, the team finished first in ...