Shane Knowlton Simard of Lynn English High School: Student-Athlete of the Month for December 2025

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association congratulates Shane Knowlton Simard as its Student of the Month for the month of December 2025.

Shane, a senior at Lynn English High School, represents the absolute best of what high school athletics and academics strive to produce: a resilient, high-achieving leader who balances rigorous intellectual growth with a profound commitment to his community.

Academically, Shane has demonstrated remarkable academic growth over his four years at Lynn English, consistently pushing himself beyond his comfort zone. By opting for a rigorous course load that includes Advanced Placement and Honors-level curriculum, he has shown a clear desire to challenge himself intellectually.

Currently holding a 3.03 GPA (4.0 scale) and a class rank of 166 out of 516, Shane’s trajectory is firmly upward. His dedication was most evident in the first quarter of his senior year, where he achieved a stellar report card consisting entirely of A’s and one B—a testament to his focus and commitment to excellence as he approaches graduation.

Athletically, Shane is a standout three-sport varsity athlete in football, basketball, and outdoor track and field. As a football team captain, he has proven himself to be a dynamic playmaker and a natural leader. His accolades are extensive:

• Greater Boston League (GBL) MVP
• Three-time Boston Globe Player of the Week
• Two-time Item All-Star Player of the Week

His performance this past football season was statistically dominant, recording 1,900+ rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, and 7 passing touchdowns. Perhaps his most memorable display of grit occurred during a comeback victory against Everett, where Shane personally accounted for six touchdowns. He capped his season with a dominant Thanksgiving Day performance, earning Player of the Game honors with 131 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 214 passing yards.

Shane’s impact extends well beyond the classroom and the playing field. He is a deeply engaged citizen who demonstrates his character through consistent service.  Shane has contributed 30 hours of volunteer service to youth football programs, acting as a crucial role model and technical mentor for the next generation of Lynn athletes.  Also,  he actively participated in local government, volunteering for a mayoral campaign by conducting door-to-door outreach to support local leadership.  A dedicated member of his church, Shane attends services every Sunday with his family and is a regular, active participant in his youth group, where he helps organize community-building events and service projects.

As Athletic Director Ashley Aldred said, “I have had the pleasure of knowing Shane for four years in my capacity as his coach and physical education teacher. Watching his evolution from a freshman to a senior has been an inspiration. Shane has navigated significant personal adversity, including time spent in foster care before his adoption, with grace and maturity. He does not take a single opportunity for granted.  His resilience was tested in his junior year when he tore his meniscus—an injury that threatened his athletic future. Shane refused to let it define him; he attacked his rehabilitation with the same intensity he brings to the football field, resulting in the most dynamic and successful athletic year of his life.  Shane Knowlton Simard is not just a gifted athlete; he is a beacon of perseverance. He is a leader in our hallways, a mentor to our youth, and a young man who embodies the "never-miss-a-play" mentality in both his life and his studies. I cannot think of a more deserving candidate for the MIAA Student-Athlete of the Month.

The MIAA congratulates Shane and the entire Lynn English community.