University of Limerick journalism students have scooped four honours at the National Student Media Awards.
Curious Magazine produced by third year journalism class was named Magazine of the Year and also won the award for Layout and Design of the Year.
Two editors of the Limerick Voice multimedia news platform were also winners at the annual awards ceremony, which took place on Thursday and brought together media industry leaders, educators, and students from across Ireland.
Limerick Voice Digital Editor Rachel Petticrew won the award for Journalism Relating to Health and Aislinn Kelly, Limerick Voice Business and Agriculture Editor, was named Features Writer of the Year Arts and Pop Culture.
The National Student Media Awards - or the SMEDIAs as they are known - are the largest competition of its kind in Ireland dedicated to recognising and celebrating the next generation of media talent.
Open to students from every college across Ireland the awards are judged by key media industry leaders including Mark Hennessey, News Editor of The Irish Times.
Speaking about her award Limerick Voice Digital Editor Rachel Petticrew said: “I am thrilled to have won the Journalism Relating to Health award at last night’s SMEDIAs for my piece on the ongoing issues with crack cocaine use, prevention and treatment in Limerick City. Huge thanks to Dr Dervla Kelly, the Mid West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum and Novas for their time, to my tutor Kathryn Hayes for all her advice and to all who contributed to our brilliant Limerick Voice print edition in March.”
Limerick Voice Business and Agriculture Editor, Aisilinn Kelly who was named Features Writer of the Year Arts and Pop Culture said: “I am so delighted to be recognised for writing about art and so grateful to the many people who have let me into their lives and studios to showcase their stories. Studying journalism at UL has been an invaluable experience and this has been a wonderful way to conclude my four years.”
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday evening at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and was attended by Irish media personality Laura Whitmore.
UL journalism students received 15 nominations at this year’s SMEDIAS, which is testament to the talent of the University’s undergraduate and post graduate students, according to Kathryn Hayes, Course Director BA Journalism and Digital Communication.
“We are extremely proud of all of our students who were nominated for awards in highly competitive categories at this year’s SMEDIAS and of those who received awards. This is well deserved industry recognition of the excellent work our students have been producing across multimedia news platforms, which is an integral part of journalism education in UL.”
The SMEDIAS celebrate the achievements of students in media-related fields across the country.