Garner named West Virginian of the Year

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Film and stage star Jennifer Garner has been named 2007 West Virginian of the Year by her hometown newspaper, The Sunday Gazette-Mail in Charleston, W.Va.

The publication said she was selected "for her dedication, work ethic and unique role as role model and ambassador for West Virginia."

Garner, who is the wife of actor/director Ben Affleck and mother to 2-year-old Violet, is headlining the Broadway revival of "Cyrano de Bergerac." The former "Alias" star was also seen in "The Kingdom" and "Juno" in 2007.

Although Garner was born in Texas, she moved to West Virginia when she was 4 and said she considers the state home.

In an e-mail interview with the Gazette-Mail, Garner said: "To me, most states are very similar. There are very few that have their own personality, so of course I feel like every West Virginian has a little something special that makes them different."

She also said that when she goes home for a visit she likes "to do the things that are familiar."

"I like to see people I grew up with. I always go to Taylor Books. I love going home to my church -- Christ Church United Methodist. I probably visit a Dairy Queen and I love the farmer's market," Garner said.