KERRY BELL
A 1975 graduate of Watseka Community High School, Kerry Bell was a four-year, multi-sport athlete, who played football, basketball, track, and baseball throughout his high school career. In his senior year, he served as captain of the track team and co-captain of both the football and basketball teams—a testament to the respect he commanded among peers and coaches alike. Kerry’s accomplishments and accolades during his high school career are unprecedented. His football honors alone reflect a remarkable level of talent and recognition: All-Wauseca Conference Football Team/Kankakee All-Area Football Team/ICA Shriners All-State Football Team/Chicago Daily News All-State Football Team/Little All-State Football Team/Selected to play in the inaugural Illinois All-Star Football game for the East squad.
During his senior season, Kerry led the Warriors to a conference championship with a 6-0 record, an 8-1 regular season record, and a 10-2 overall record. In the semifinal game against Petersburg-Porta, the Warriors triumphed 60-8. Kerry set a state record of 6 touchdown passes - all in the first half - a record that still stands after 50 years! He finished the game completing 9 of 14 passes for 244 yards in that game alone.
In Warriors basketball, Kerry helped lead the team to a third-place finish in the 1974-75 State Class A tournament. This is the furthest any Warriors team has advanced in school history. At that time, high school basketball featured only two team classifications. The Warriors averaged 75 points a game without the advantage of the three-point line. Their season finished with a 25-8 record, with four of those losses coming against AA-level opponents. Kerry was selected to the All-Wauseca Conference and All-Iroquois County basketball teams that season.
After graduating from college in 1979, Kerry began a long-distinguished career in banking: 1979-1982 - First National Bank of Chrisman / 1982-1989 - First National Bank of Watseka /1989-2004 - First National Bank of Ogden, serving as bank president by the age of 32 / 2004-Present - President of The First Trust and Savings Bank of Watseka.
His professional achievements are matched only by his deep civic engagement. Kerry has been involved in many community and civic organizations throughout his banking career, but especially since his return to his hometown of Watseka. Kerry has mentored several WCHS student-athletes, offering them guidance, encouragement, and direction during their time at WCHS and after graduation. Kerry continues to be a passionate supporter of all WCHS athletic programs, embodying the spirit of the community both in and out of uniform. He is a legacy builder and a quiet force of inspiration for generations of students and neighbors alike.
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