(Wednesday, March 29; Sioux Center, Iowa) Alissa Van Beek, a senior at Sheldon High School (Iowa), has announced her intention to attend Dordt and join the Defender dance program.  

"I am glad that Alissa has chosen to attend Dordt next year and be a part of our dance team! She comes from a strong competitive studio and dance team background, and I know that she will be a great addition to our team next year! She has a fun and bubbly personality and I am looking forward to getting to coach her next year and the years to come," said Dordt coach Mel Knobloch.  

Van Beek was a 2023 All-Iowa Honor Dance Team selection and a four-year team captain at Sheldon. She's competed at the state level the last four years and placed third in pom and fifth in hip-hop in 2021.  Van Beek also placed second in pom in 2023 and also competed solo and placed 16th.  

"I loved the environment and how everything you learn is connected to God in some way," said Van Beek.  

Alissa is the daughter of Brian and Mindy Western and Chris and Amanda Van Beek. She plans to study accounting.  

Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive Christian college rooted in the Reformed tradition. The Defender athletic program is a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA).?    

U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review all list Dordt on their best colleges lists. Dordt is home to approximately 1,500 students.