Todd Berget has been officially declared The Western News Person of the Year 2016.

Walking through the schools or driving through any of the main roads in Libby, one is bound to catch a glimpse of the many murals that Berget’s students have painted under his oversight through the town, and the famous eagle statues that give the town the nickname “City of Eagles.”

As someone who, quite literally, has decorated Libby with numerous statues he’s created and murals he’s had his students paint, Berget encourages civic-mindedness and praises his fellow citizens who step up to help the community.

Initially, Berget felt that there were so many people in Libby that were more deserving than him. As someone who’s lived in the area his whole life, he’s proud of the community-spirit of the town, and is continuously impressed by the many volunteers that dedicate their work and time to make Libby a little better place to live.

“There’s so many projects that Libby has come together and built. It’s one of the reasons Libby is what it is,” Berget said, noting Turner Mountain, the golf course, the volunteer-built roping arena, walking paths and baseball fields, Logger Days, the Igniters Car Club, the Nordicfest board and the other volunteer-run charities and projects in the area. “In respect to all the volunteers in this town, I will accept [Person of the Year] for them.”

That same civic-mindedness is what he’s tried to instill in his many students over the years.

After returning home from college, Berget wanted to give back to the community similar to these volunteers.

He ultimately gave back through his passion — art.

For the next 28 years, Berget would walk into many local businesses and ask their permission for his students decorate a wall of theirs.

“It felt good, just doing things for other people,” Berget said. “I got the kids involved, and I could see their civic-pride develop when they made things.”

The fact that those students will be able to have bragging rights for the rest of their life or until the mural is taken down, puts a smile on his face.

Mostly because Berget’s other passion is teaching.

“I’m so thankful for the parents that share their kids with me,” Berget said. “I’m going to miss being a teacher, but I’m also ready to go out and create art.”

Berget is retiring at the end of the school year, but he’s not done yet. Currently, he’s planning to hang up metal fish along the Central School fence this week along 9th Street, and he’s also working on painting two more murals around the town with his students.

His next step is to make and sell his art, especially the metal eagles.