White House Historical Association Awards Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship to Iowa State Journalism Student

Feb 16, 2021 Washington, D.C. —

The White House Historical Association in partnership with Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication and the White House Correspondents’ Association, have awarded Teagan Gara with the Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship in Print Journalism. Teagan Gara will receive $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. and an invitation to join the White House Historical Association at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to network with other political communicators. This is contingent on travel and other restrictions of COVID-19.

The Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship in Print Journalism at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication was established in 2006 at Sidey’s alma mater, Iowa State University, by way of the White House Historical Association. The award supports aspiring print journalists at the Greenlee School who exhibit extraordinary understanding of the responsibilities of covering the chief executive and the core principle of social responsibility that resides with the print journalist.

Teagan Gara is a junior at Iowa State University, majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication and Political Science. She is an intern with the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University. After graduation, Gara plans on exploring political communication and hopes to use the Sidey Scholarship as an opportunity to gain insight into the industry.

“I am very thankful to have received the Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship and be able to experience this tremendous opportunity,” Gara stated. “Hugh S. Sidey has been a role model to me throughout my time at Iowa State University and I hope that this experience will help me carry on Sidey's legacy. I look forward to visiting Washington D.C. where I will be able to connect with others and expand my knowledge on political communication.”

“We are delighted to award Teagan Gara with the 2021 Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship," said Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “The scholarship offers a unique opportunity for students to make connections in Washington and we are proud to partner with Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication in honor of the late Hugh Sidey.”

“The correspondents’ association is very happy to support this honor for Teagan, a terrific student and promising journalist,” said Zeke Miller, President of the White House Correspondents’ Association. “We are proud of our continued partnership with the White House Historical Association, particularly for this scholarship in the name of one our own.”

Previous winners have visited Washington, attended a White House press briefing, and toured media outlets such as POLITICO, The Washington Post, and McClatchy News Service.

Learn more about the Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship here.

Read this year's winning essay.

For all media inquiries, please contact press@whha.org.