HOLLIS – Last week’s Town Meeting opened much like other town meetings, but there was a surprise in store for one Hollis resident. And when Lydia Schellenberg accepted her award for Hollis Citizen of the Year for Americanism, she received thunderous applause.

She had no idea she would be honored when she arrived at the high school auditorium to vote.

“I came to do my job as a check list supervisor,” Schellenberg said, misty-eyed after the ceremony.

Immediately after the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, Town Moderator Jim Belanger called Schellenberg and her friend, Judy McCoy, to the front of the room.

At first, Schellenberg thought nothing of it because she had been a supervisor of the checklist for more than 40 years. She had become accustomed to being relied upon at elections.

“I began to wonder as I got way up there why Judy and I were called,” Schellenberg said, as she described the moment when she thought something might be different.

In a moment it became clear as Judy McCoy veered right and took a seat in the front row, and Schellenberg¹s sons and daughter appeared by the podium with their spouses. As Schellenberg embraced her children, Belanger introduced Lou Tyska, of the Hollis Veterans of Foreign Wars, who took the microphone.

Tyska read a brief recap of Schellenberg¹s life in Hollis, her involvement in the community and her commitment to public service, and presented her with a plaque and certificate honoring her life-long service to the community.

Before she had a chance to gather her senses, Davy Petry read a letter to her from the Hollis selectmen.

“Over the last 50 years, your commitment to serving the community and dedication to volunteerism has molded and shaped the town of Hollis,” he read from the letter as Schellenberg¹s children beamed holding her close.

Yet, this, her moment of glory did not end. Schellenberg and the audience would hear six more letters from local state and national officials, including Gov. John Lynch, extolling the virtues of community service and recognizing Schellenberg for her outstanding commitment to Hollis.

“The state of New Hampshire is fortunate to have you in the community and is grateful for you commitment,” Lynch said in his letter.

This year marked the 18th annual awarding of Citizen of the Year for Americanism by the Hollis VFW 11373 to recognize public service within the community.

Schellenberg¹s involvement in the Hollis Women¹s Club since she moved to Hollis in 1964, her deep roots within the Hollis Congregational Church, her work through the Hollis Historical Society and the Circle of Home and Family, as well as her 40-plus years of service as an election checklist supervisor earned her the award this year, along with the respect and admiration of people throughout town.

After all the letters were read and the awards given, Schellenberg had a chance to unwind with her family as she reminisced about the last 48 years in Hollis.

As for her she plans for the future and turning 90 later this year, she said she does not intend to take on new responsibilities.

However, she said she would continue to do the things she has been doing, particularly her role as a checklist supervisor.

“I really enjoy that,” Schellenberg said. “I meet a lot of nice people that way.”