ONE moment it was tears — the next cheers for Okehampton College student Karen Wonnacott.
For a while it looked like her life-long dream of becoming a vet was dashed because she had three Ds in physics, chemistry and biology.
To study animal sciences at Nottingham University she needed three Cs.
'While we were really upset in the school office Nottingham University rang,' said Karen's mum, Jane Wonnacott.
'They said they still wanted her and not to worry about the three Cs because the three Ds were fine!'
Karen, 18, of Bailey's Farm, Patchacott, Beaworthy, has always wanted to be a vet. For the past three years she has worked with a local practice in her spare time.
She hopes to get a degree in Animal Science, then take a veterinary science course to get a degree to become a vet.
'She was so upset and so were a lot of the teachers because she has always put 100 per cent into her work.
'When the news came through that she had been accepted, everyone cheered,' said Mrs Wonnacott.
She felt that the foot and mouth crisis and the fact Karen lost her grandfather in the middle of the exams had not helped her results.
'It has been such a rotten time for farmers — at last it is nice to have some good news.'