Carterville High School senior Adyson Shepard has experienced numerous changes in the four years she has been on the CHS Dance team, including a new coach this season. However, the one thing that has not changed is Adyson’s love for the sport and the memorable moments that have come with the team. Being on the team is “extremely rewarding in itself,” according to Adyson.
“My favorite memory was going to state at the beginning of 2023,” she said. “We laughed so much and got a lot closer during that weekend. The CHS dance team is full of fun activities and is not just a team, but a family.”
Unfortunately for this senior leader, Adyson suffered a back injury, which has kept her from being able to participate along the sidelines. However, she still is there, offering guidance and encouragement to other team members. “Because I have worked so hard throughout my high school career to improve my dancing skills, it is definitely disappointing I cannot dance to my best ability for my last year on the team,” she said.
While it’s hard for her not to be able to dance right now, she enjoys watching her team grow with each day.“Being around everyone allows you to make lifelong friendships,” Adyson said.
And she is offering advice to current team members or those interested in trying out for the team in the future. “Work as hard as you possibly can, go over dances and technique as much as you can, and have the work ethic to show the coaches you can improve,” she said.
Junior Mary Barnstable said her favorite memory is when she and Adyson stopped at a gas station on the way to the IDT state competition last year. “She was a junior and we were talking about how much we missed the seniors from the previous year. We just sat in the minibus and hugged for 10 minutes, and then we talked about missing the seniors and how we are going to move forward for them” Mary said.
Peighton Young is in her first year as Lions’ dance coach, and said Adyson “has the most positive, upbeat personality.”
“She is a constant cheerleader, leader and breath of fresh air. She remains focused on goals, pushing herself and her teammates, and does so with a smile but also with grit. She is irreplaceable and invaluable to our entire team,” Young said.
Adyson’s future goal is to attend college, possibly SIU, though she isn’t 100% sure what she wants to major in. Adyson said she has also considered joining a dance team in college, but because of her injury, she believes it would be best to retire from dancing to focus on her studies and career.
