Jenny’s top of the class
Five As in face of adversity
NICOLA FINDLAY
An East Kilbride student proved she is a class act securing five straight As in her Highers.
Jenny Cook, 17, from Stewartfield, joined teenagers across the country who had an anxious wait on results – without sitting a single exam.
They were cancelled for the first time in history due to the coronavirus.
This year’s results were worked out using estimates made by teachers based on the pupil’s performance over the school year.
And for Jenny, securing five straight As is no mean feat.
She suffers from a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis – which is a chronic and debilitating disease.
Ulcers can develop on the colon’s lining, and can bleed and produce pus.
Due to this Williamwood High pupil Jenny has missed large spells at school over the years – but she has never let this stand in her way of achieving what she wants.
Jenny is known throughout the area for her fundraising efforts – which she began aged just five.
After having her large bowel removed, the Young Ambassador for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, made it her mission to improve life for fellow sufferers of ulcerative colitis supporting charities which help those with the condition.
And the same determination she has shown with her fundraising has helped her shine academically.
“I was so, so happy with my results. I never expected to get straight As in a million years,” Jenny told the News.
“I was just so relieved. It has been the strangest time for everyone – no one has ever had to deal with a situation like this before.
“It’s just so unpredictable. It’s been tough on everyone.”
Jenny described the mad-dash to complete course work when it was announced schools were closing.
“The last week of school, when we knew they were closing on the Friday, was a mad rush to try and pull everything together by the end of the week, which thankfully I managed to do. Others who hadn’t started things weren’t so lucky.”
And being prepared – as well as being at home for longer spells – is something Jenny has become adept at dealing with.
She went on: “I am more used to spending longer periods off school than others so I have always tried to work hard and catch up with my studies when I have been well.
“But I have always had a lot of support from my family and especially my teachers.
“I really have to thank them. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without them.”
However, she hopes her success will encourage others.
“Like many other children that suffer from IBD, there is always the risk we could be not well and would be unable to sit the main exams.
“But I hope this proves if I can do it anyone can. I wouldn’t say I’m naturally the cleverest but I work hard.
“If you really want to achieve something go for it. I never wanted my IBD to stand in the way of anything.”
And due to Jenny’s health she and her family decided to avoid mixing with others as much as possible.
“I seem to pick things up really easily, so we decided as a family to stay at home,” she said.
“It’s been interesting but we have got on fairly well. I have just started to go out again to be honest and it’s a bit nerve-wracking.”
Jenny’s health has remained relatively stable with her last stay in hospital back in 2018 when doctors discovered abscess in her pelvis.
But the stress does effect her IBD.
She continued: “I am better now at knowing when I am run down and have to look after myself. I take vitamin D and Iron tablets and manage my IBD as best as I can.
“I haven’t been able to get check-ups due to some appointments been cancelled due to lockdown but I’m pretty sure the stress of the last few months may have taken it’s toll a bit but I just try to get on with things as best I can.”
Jenny is due to go into six year and will take on Advanced Higher Modern Studies and a crash Higher in psychology and politics.
“I would like to go on from University and I will take it from there,” she added.
“Hopefully things will go more smoothly next year, for everyone’s sake!”