Clan MacLeod Society, USA Awards Page

The Clans Person of the Year

    Clans Person of the Year is the most prestigious award given by the Clan MacLeod USA.   This award goes to the Clan MacLeod USA member that has contributed greatly to the goals of the Clan. The award has existed since 1966, with only about 40 recipients, among the thousands of USA members. It is a privilege to honor the recipients of the “Clans Person of the Year” in the following page.

    The recipient is selected yearly, through recommendations of the Clan Council and Past Presidents. Franklin Wyatt, as awards Chairman polls the Council to select the recipient of "The Clans Person of the Year". Click Here to view a Gallery of all recipients of the Clans Person of the Year award.
 

2009 Clans Person of the Year, Ireta Janiec

Ireta and her husband Roy started membership in the Clan about 1984. She worked on the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on the Queen Mary, Long Beach, California as one of the first of many projects.  Ireta is always enthusiastic when it comes to MacLeod activities.  She often secured venues for yearly Tartan Balls; a favorite place that was the US Naval Base in Long Beach.  Ireta is always at the forefront when there is work to be done and enjoyed the dedicated members in Southern California.

Ireta also generously donated her time in becoming a docent at the Richard M. Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California.  Her work involved many committees associated with the Republican Women’s Freedom Foundation including sponsoring scholarships for young women.  Ireta pursued higher education as an English major during the late 1980’s. She has a deep love for learning and counts reading as one of her passions.

When Ireta and Roy relocated from California about 1992, she immediately became immersed in the Clan MacLeod activities in the Pacific Northwest.  Ireta became the Oregon Commissioner and devoted herself to working in the MacLeod tent in as many games in Oregon as possible and also included Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. She is also active in the local Celtic Society.  Her main goal is to provide and share information concerning the Clan. Ireta attended Parliament at Dunvegan several times, as well as the North American Gatherings. She was invaluable on the planning committee for the Pacific Northwest, 2001 AGM.

Although Ireta celebrated her 90th birthday in June 2009, she still keeps her presence known at Scottish activities representing the MacLeod Clan.  She sets an outstanding example of dedication.  She was thrilled to be named the Clans person of the Year at the St. Louis, Missouri AGM in June 2009,  Ireta is looking forward to continuing her work for Clan MacLeod at next year’s Highland Games.  She is a perfect example of our motto “Hold Fast” and her light shines bright for her beloved Clan MacLeod USA.