Ponaganset High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2013
Helene (Stockwell) Desjardins
Athlete
Class of 1997
Soccer, Basketball, & Softball
Helene Stockwell Desjardins has always been a team player. Having grown up with many siblings on Team Stockwell, Helene quickly learned the rules of the game.
Identified as one of the most prolific captains in Chieftain history, Helene led her teammates in soccer, basketball and softball. Teammates, coaches, opponents, and teachers all respected her. Helene played with passion and pushed her teammates to always strive for their best. She was humble in both victory and defeat, often deflecting many of her achievements and accolades along to teammates and coaches. Helene’s encouragement, determination and desire made her a respected and valued leader.
As a Chieftain, Helene earned numerous honors as a four-year, three-sport athlete. From her PHS coaches, she earned a Sixth Player Award, three Most Improved Player Awards, two Sportsmanship Awards, two Most Valuable Player awards, three seasons of Captainship and the Brian Fell Award.
In soccer, Helene earned 3rd Team All-Division, helping her team clinch a State Championship in a shoot-out against Burrillville her senior year. On the hardwood, Helene celebrated four State Championships, earning a Woonsocket Call Second Team All-Star selection as a junior. She was also named First Team All-Division, First Team All-State, and State Tournament MVP as a senior.
On the diamond, Helene earned First Team All-Division as a sophomore, and Second Team All-Division and First-Team All State as a junior.
After graduating from Ponaganset, Helene attended Assumption College on a full athletic scholarship. She played 4 years of basketball, graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Rehabilitation Services and Mental Health Counseling. Helene continued on to Worcester State University to receive her Masters Degree in Speech and Language Pathology in 2006.
Helene is currently a Speech and Language Pathologist in the Northborough school system. She still makes her presence on the court as the Assistant Girls Varsity Basketball coach for Westborough High School. Helene became Mrs. Matthew Desjardins in 2004 and is the proud mother to Penelope, age 6 and Chloe, age 3.