Peabody American Legion Post 95 has chosen Peabody-Burns High School freshman Bailey Penner as its Citizen of the Year for 2014.

The recognition comes from a statewide effort to get every community with an American Legion Post to annually honor at least one community youth with the citizenship award.

Post 95 Commander Gary Welty presented Penner with the award in a brief ceremony during an American Legion meeting Tuesday night.

Welty said consideration is given to those young people participating in Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, or 4-H Clubs. The method of selection is left to the Legion post’s membership.

“Bailey’s name came up right away after we started talking about the award,” Welty said. “He has been actively involved with the annual Avenue of Flags display at the cemetery for Memorial Day. Even though he is just a high school freshman this year, he has been helping put up flags and take them down for several years already.”

Penner is a member of the Peabody Achievers 4-H Club. He is the son of Mark and Kelly Penner.