Rebekah Bunnett almost closed her text books only six weeks into her two-year course at Newton Rigg College after learning that her mother had breast cancer.
While supporting her family, the 18-year-old persevered and emerged as top student, taking the Animal Carer of the Year award and a £500 prize, which she will use to buy the kit she needs for her university course to become a veterinary nurse.
It was her mother, Susan Hill, who urged her to continue her studies.
Mrs Hill said: “I said ‘no way You need to do it for yourself’.
“From going to quit and being home, I think she felt useless, but she needed to stay at college and be focused.”
Miss Bunnett worked hard at her studies while still taking time to support her mum as she went through chemotherapy and then radiotherapy.
Of the nine units she was required to complete during the two years – including biology, micro-biology, physiology, behaviour and breed development – the teenager scooped 17 distinctions and two merits.
She went on to apply to five universities, including the RVC.
Mrs Hill said: “She got an email to go for an interview at the RVC and she said ‘what is the point, I’ll never get in’.”
Ms Bunnett said she was initially downhearted when she received no reply over an extended period, until she got some good news on her 18th birthday.
She said: “I just couldn’t stop crying. I was like is it real? Is it a joke?”
Her mum added: “It is the cream of the crop – even if you don’t make it but you make the interviews, that is amazing.”
Some 1,300 hopefuls apply for the course, and of the 240 who make the interview stage, only 55 places are awarded.
Miss Bunnett plans to complete the three-year foundation course, followed by another year to complete her honours.
She leaves for London in September.
She said: “I am very excited.”
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