A TEENAGER is set to fulfil her dream after winning a £30,000 scholarship to a prestigious dance school.
Since she was a young girl, Stephanie Velasco's ambition has been to attend the Laine Theatre Arts School in Epsom.
Now the 15-year-old has been awarded one of just 30 scholarships for the prestigious school, whose ex-students include former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and Steps singer Lee Latchford Evans.
Stephanie, who attends the Caren Lumsdale Theatre Arts School in South Shields, competed in a gruelling all-day audition to win the scholarship against rivals from around the UK.
Her mum Melanie, a dance teacher, said: "I'm very proud of her. She has worked really hard over the years.
"It's just remarkable. There were 160 dancers at the second round of the audition after they had whittled down the thousands who had originally applied.
"They were all as good as each other, and the standard on the day was so high."
Mrs Velasco, 41, from Fir Grove, Cleadon Park, South Shields, added: "She was just so excited when she found out she had won a place.
West End
"It has always been her dream to go to the Laine Theatre Arts School and then go on to perform in a West End musical. Her favourite is Chicago.
"It will be a whole new adventure for her and for us, as we will be going down to London regularly to see her."
Stephanie, a pupil at Harton Technology College, will begin a three-year National Diploma in performing arts in September.

By LISA NIGHTINGALE
lisa.nightingale@northeast-press.co.uk