CHARLESTON, W.Va. —  Actress Jennifer Garner has been honored as the 2007 West Virginian of the Year by her hometown newspaper.

The Sunday Gazette-Mail says it chose Garner for her dedication, hard work and service as an ambassador and role model for West Virginia.

Garner is balancing the raising of her 2-year-old daughter Violet, her marriage with fellow actor Ben Affleck and a career that includes a starring role in "Cyrano de Bergerac" on Broadway, the new film "Juno," and two more films yet to shoot.

Garner is actually a Texas transplant, but moved to the Mountain State as a 4-year-old and considers West Virginia home.