HAY RIVER - The identity of Hay River's Citizen of the Year for 2009 has been revealed.

Jan McNeely, an educational assistant at Diamond Jenness Secondary School (DJSS), was named the winner of the Alfred Mansell Citizen of the Year Award during the Hay River Chamber of Commerce annual gala on Feb. 19.

"I'm touched and I feel honoured," McNeely said just after receiving the award.

She admitted to even being a little embarrassed, explaining a lot of what she does at the school involves many other people.

McNeely said her role at DJSS is to support students, teachers, staff, parents and the whole school community.

"For me, it ripples out from the school community into the whole Hay River community," she said.

Her work includes helping individual students or small groups in the classroom, sometimes assisting them with their schoolwork.

She also helped start breakfast and lunch programs at the school.

In addition, she is part of a committee that works at developing school spirit.

McNeely is known as just Jan to everyone at Diamond Jenness, including students.

"It puts me on the same playing field as the youth," she said of being known by her first name. "I call them my kids."

The 47-year-old native of Lethbridge, Alta., has lived in Hay River for 15 years.

McNeely, who has a diploma in social work, has worked at Diamond Jenness for 11 years, following two years at Harry Camsell School.

The identity of the citizen of the year is not revealed - even to the winner - until the annual chamber of commerce gala.

However, McNeely said she suspected she might be the winner when she was given two tickets to the gala as a gift.

The Alfred Mansell Citizen of the Year Award has been presented annually in Hay River since 1972.

Another honour - the Customer Service Excellence Award - was also presented at the chamber of commerce gala.

It went to Verna Woznica, who recently retired and closed her flower and gift store, Cabin Fever, after 20 years of operation.

While accepting the award, an emotional Woznica said closing her store was one of the hardest things she ever had to do in her life.