A former Largs Academy pupil is set to help launch this year’s instalment of a nationwide competition that recognises excellence in journalism in Scotland’s colleges and universities.

Nicole Barker is behind the running of this year’s Scottish Student Journalism Awards, which is currently welcoming entries, will culminate in a glittering ceremony in May at Glasgow’s National Piping Centre.

The organisers of the event, who are studying HND Media and Communications at Glasgow Clyde College, will welcome entries in 11 categories from students at colleges and universities across Scotland.

The 19-year-old aspiring author, who currently works in The Bagel Basket Café in Largs, said: “I’m in charge of organising all the graphics and promotional material for the ceremony so that means I have to create the logo, the programmes, design all the application packs amongst other things as well as organise prizes for winners. I want to continue working within the media industry when I leave college so this will be brilliant experience for me and I’ve loved every minute.” “The awards have become our baby and although it’s been a lot of work it’ll be worth it when we see the awards in full swing in May.” The Scottish Student Journalism Awards is now in its fourth year and boasts a judging panel that includes the editors of national media outlets including The Scotsman, The Herald, Daily Record, Sunday Mail, BBC and STV.

The deadline for entries to the competition is Friday 3 April. Students of an accredited journalism course at a college or university in Scotland are invited to submit their work and can request an application pack by emailing ssjaapplications2015@gmail.com Entries are invited for the competition’s 11 categories, which are as follows: Feature of the Year, Student Publication of the Year, Scoop of the Year, Sport Story of the Year, Broadcast Story of the Year, Student Journalist of the Year, Multimedia Publication of the Year, News Story of the Year, Arts and Entertainment Story of the Year, Column of the Year, The Calum MacDonald Memorial Award.