ROCHELLE — Fourteen years of dance will not be the end for Rochelle senior Addison Stewart, who has committed to continue her academics and her dance career at Concordia University Chicago.

Stewart has danced at Studio C in Rochelle for the last three years and she has danced at Rochelle Township High School for the last four years. A two-time IHSA State Championship qualifier with the Chellettes, Stewart was an Interstate 8 Academic All-Conference honoree this winter and she was named the 2023-24 RTHS Dancer of the Year with the high school team.

“[Concordia] offers a lot of what I want academically,” Stewart said. “The girls on the dance team are so accepting and loving. They care very much about the school and the team… I felt at home on their campus and I was able to find my way around. I want to continue being an influence for the younger girls who watch me at the studio and I want to keep inspiring them. I’m also excited to have a new team and to continue competing for the next four years.”

Stewart was offered a spot on the Concordia University Chicago dance team in November. She said the relationship she’s formed with the head dance coach, Dirvelys Allen, helped solidify her commitment to the university. Stewart said she intends to study business marketing while minoring in political science in hopes of pursuing a higher education in business law and becoming a lawyer, something Stewart has aspired to achieve since she was a young age.

“I love coach [Dirvelys] so much,” Stewart said. “She watches my live streams when I’m at my studio and she even came to Rochelle and watched me dance a few times… I’m looking to bring my hard work and dedication, but I’m also looking to bring the liveliness that I like to have in myself. I’ve learned and grown a lot over the last few years, both on the competitive stage and at football and basketball games, and I’m excited to dance with new people.”

Having reached the IHSA State Championships with the high school team on two separate occasions, Stewart said her experience competing at the state level will help with her transition to dancing at the collegiate level. Since she began dancing at a young age, Stewart said her athletic abilities and her dedication to the sport are the areas she said she’s improved the most.

“I love all of the bonds and friendships I’ve made from dance,” Stewart said. “I’ve enjoyed competing with all of my friends at the high school. I’ve learned how to push myself and I think I’ve become stronger mentally. I know I can push myself harder to get what I really want.”