BETHEL – Woody Hughes, a teacher at Gould Academy of Bethel, was named an Unsung Hero by Saint Michael’s College of Vermont.

Colin Boyd, a graduate of Gould Academy and a student at Saint Michael’s, nominated Hughes for the award, saying, “Woody Hughes introduced clay into my life, and I spent most of my senior year with him and a few buddies in the basement of the art cottage or pot shop.

“In this sacred spot I learned to live clay because of this man. He inspired me to do things I never thought possible, and at the end of the year when I had a screw put in my wrist, he helped me come up with an idea so I could complete my final project with a dinner set that was totally innovative.”

Saint Michael’s selected 76 unsung heroes from high schools throughout New England, based on nominations from Saint Michael’s students. The awards went to “heroic teachers who truly made a difference in students’ lives and inspired them to pursue higher education,” said Jerry Flanagan, vice president for admission and enrollment.