Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Belle Alum Now Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader

By Nicholas Sakelaris

Staff Writer

Stefani Vaughan Peterson is living a dream this year by cheering on quarterback Tony Romo, running back Marion Barber and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2001 Carroll graduate and former Emerald Belle dancer made the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader squad after enduring a grueling 12-week tryout camp during the summer.

The process was filmed as part of Country Music Television’s reality show, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. More than 1,000 girls tried out, but only 36 were chosen, including Peterson.

Peterson, 25, has performed at all the Cowboys home games this year and her father, Steve Vaughan, has purchased season tickets on the front row at Texas Stadium.

"We are proud of her. She’s worked really hard," her mother Patty Vaughan said.

Peterson’s love of cheerleading started at age 3 when she would stand on the sidelines as her father coached middle school and high school teams, her mother said.

"As a little girl she wanted to be one of those dancing girls," Vaughan laughed.

She was an Emerald Belle all four years of high school and an officer during her junior and senior years, Vaughan said. She also danced at the University of North Texas.

Stefani also spent two years as a cheerleader for the Dallas Desperados, an arena football team affiliated with the Cowboys.