LAGRANGE – An advocate for children and animals is this year’s LaGrange County Citizen of the Year.

Sue Keenan was honored with the title at Corn School Wednesday evening.

"It's an honor. Born here. Raised here. Came back here because I wanted to. I'm speechless. I don't know what to say," said Keenan.

Keenan retired from teaching in 2012 and was elected to the Lakeland School Board. She’s also been active with Special Olympics, the LaGrange County Community Foundation, and the Farm Project.

Other activities include animal rescue and adoption and the Paws and Claws Bookstore.

Keenan says she was able to increase her involvement after retiring.

"I could never do the things I do now while I was teaching because I didn't have the time or the energy. Once retired, I had the time and I had the energy so I enjoy what I do. I do it because I want to do it."

She a past recipient of the Heart of Gold Award from the community foundation.