A former Irish Independent exam diarist last night scooped two gongs at a media awards ceremony.

DCU student Samuel Hamilton, who kept Irish Independent readers informed about his trials and tribulations during the 2007 Leaving Certificate, took
the Journalist of the Year and Magazine of the Year prizes at the 10th Oxygen.ie National Student Media Awards in Dublin's Mansion House.

Irish Independent education editor John Walshe presented Samuel, a former pupil of Patrician College in Newbridge, Co Kildare, with the award for his
work on DCU magazine 'Flux'.

Caitriona Laverty, of the UCD 'University Observer', won the Editor of the Year award, sponsored by the Irish Independent and judged by Mr Walshe.

A native of Stranorlar, Co Donegal, she won the praise of Mr Walshe for her work on the "classy publication".

More than 600 students and media personalities attended the event, dubbed the Smedias. 'Sunday Tribune' editor Noirin Hegarty and her 'Irish Times'
counterpart Geraldine Kennedy were among the judges for the 33 categories to honour excellence in student media.

DCU was a big winner on the night as the college claimed 10 prizes, including another double winner -- as well as Samuel Hamilton -- Stephen Mangan took
Sports Writer of the Year and Features Writer of the Year.