West Virginian of the Year

West Virginian of the Year is an annual selection by the editorial board of the "Charleston Gazette" (the combined board of that paper and the "Charleston Daily Mail" between 1961 and 1991) of the individual who best shows the "spirit of West Virginia". The winner can either be a native West Virginian who achieved after leaving the state, or a person living in the state for achievements in the state. The winner is announced in the last Sunday edition of the "Charleston Gazette-Mail". It is considered similar to the "Time Magazine" person of the year award, on a state basis.