One hits the ball over the net, while the other usually finds the back of it.
The Moynihan Lumber North Shore Student-Athlete award is a monthly honor given to one male and one female for their excellence in the classroom and athletic competition. November recipients are Lynn Classical volleyball standout Amanda Hughes and Swampscott soccer star Lucas Bereaud.
Hughes, a junior, began playing volleyball just two years ago.
“I fell in love when I started,” said the outside hitter. “They had an amazing team when I joined as a freshman. They were all so amazing and I wanted to be like them.”
That she did, joining the varsity team a year later. This fall, she was named Most Valuable Player of the Greater Boston League with 210 kills and a .204 hitting percentage, also adding 58 aces and 135 points on serve for the 18-4 Lady Rams.
“Amanda found a way to step up in the biggest matches of the season with her best efforts,” said coach Chris LeBlanc. “She was also an amazing captain and leader, possessing all of the qualities coaches look for.”
LeBlanc noted her leadership in a state tournament win against Lynnfield, which happened to be Hughes’ favorite high school memory thus far.
“100 percent,” said Hughes, who had 17 kills, 11 digs, three aces, and a block. “I never experienced that intensity before – it was a special one.”
Hughes – who plays three to five days per week in the summer, including beach volleyball – shines just as bright in the classroom.
Ranked second of 482 classmates with a GPA of 4.56, the junior class president has taken five AP classes, is a member of National Honor Society, and takes pictures for Classical’s student newspaper, The Emerald Editorial.
“I just want to be super successful and want my parents (Kim and Bill) to be proud,” said Hughes, adding her two favorite classes are precalculus and AP literature. “I want to stay on top of things.”
She does that by using the Reminders app on her phone, jotting down assignments and practice times among other to-do’s.
It must work – that, and being a product of her environment.
“I wouldn’t want to go to any other high school,” she said. “I think it’s the best. The coaches want everything – that’s the best part. They actually care about you.”
Hughes also thanked her teammates and sister, Ashley, for always driving her around.
As for what’s next, Hughes is interested in aerospace engineering at colleges including Tufts, Wentworth, and MIT “if I can get there.”
Less than five miles northeast at Swampscott High, another student-athlete has excelled.
Bereaud, a senior carrying a 4.0 GPA, hopes to study computer science in college.
“My family has always been focused on academics, especially my parents (Joanna and Philip),” said Bereaud, who was born in Boston before moving to Swampscott when he was 2.
Also at that age, Bereaud discovered the sport he loves.
“I’ve always enjoyed soccer – ever since I started,” he said. “When I’m playing, there’s nothing else I’m thinking about.”
The Big Blue forward scored 21 goals with seven assists and no yellow cards in 20 games this fall. He also led Swampscott in scoring the past three seasons, made the All-Northeastern Conference team, and was selected to play in the Eastern Massachusetts All-Star Game.
He credits captains’ practices, summer league games, and lifting for some of his recent success – alongside a certain childhood activity.
“My parents always made me take my dog for runs,” he said. “So, that helps.”
As for the balance between academics and athletics, Bereaud said, “I almost want to say it’s easier when I’m playing a sport. I can’t put anything off.”
Plus, he gets by with a little help from his friends.
“A lot of my friends play the same sports. We have the same schedule and are always helping each other,” said Bereaud, a tennis player in the spring.
He doesn’t plan on playing soccer in college, but has plenty of memories to take with him from high school.
“My favorites were two games against Marblehead, our rival. I scored the game-winner in both games,” Bereaud said. “Those felt good.”
