Monomoy Athletic Director Karen Guillemette honored with Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Award

At the Massachusetts Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports Day on May 19, 2026, Monomoy Regional School District Athletic Director Karen Guillemette was recognized with a Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Award.

The event is held annually by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association to celebrate the many opportunities girls and women have to compete in sports throughout the Commonwealth and the nation. The keynote speaker, Rachel Duranwood, Boston Legacy FC Soccer Engagement Lead and former NWSL professional, spoke about the impact of combining elite athleticism with dedicated mentorship. 

In presenting Guillemette’s award, it was noted that since joining Monomoy Regional School District in 2016, Guillemette has been the driving force behind a historic transformation of the district’s PreK-12 Wellness and interscholastic athletic programs. Under her leadership, Monomoy saw the successful introduction of several key programs that have become staples of the Monomoy Regional High School’s identity, including: Girls Volleyball, Girls Lacrosse, Indoor Track & Field, Unified Basketball, and Unified Track & Field. By establishing these programs, Guillemette built a culture where young women are empowered to lead, compete, and excel. This expansion has been a game-changer for the district, turning Monomoy into a destination for premier female talent in the region. 

Through strategic mentorship of her coaching staff and a demand for excellence, Guillemette led Monomoy to be ranked as the third-winningest athletic program in Division 4 statewide last year. Her work has also extended to the middle school level, where she introduced cross country, golf, and lacrosse to create a sustainable competitive pathway for younger students. By elevating club sports to varsity status and preserving hockey through strategic regional co-ops, she has ensured that Monomoy students remain in-district, fostering an unparalleled sense of Shark pride. 

Superintendent Scott Carpenter noted that in over three decades of school administration, he has rarely seen an Athletic Director impact a community so profoundly. "Karen has not only championed opportunities for girls and young women but has instilled a sense of omnipresent pride throughout our entire school community." 

In addition to Guillemette, the Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Awards honorees also included Patricia Rivero Gonzalez, Retired Athletic Director, Newton South High School, Laura Whittaker, ELA Teacher, Varsity Softball & JV Field Hockey Coach, and Stoughton High School Student Athletes.