Teachers take back the win in 2024 Kevin Bell Memorial Classic in support of Special Olympics

After last year’s upset, the teachers took back the win in Hononegah’s annual Kevin Bell Memorial Classic student-faculty basketball game on Thursday, February 22, 2024 with a final score of 47-34.

Hosted by Hononegah’s Renaissance Club, the game was the last event of an exciting night, including a Special Olympics basketball game as well as a dance performance from GiGi’s Playhouse’s dance team. Attendees from the community not only supported Special Olympics through overwhelming support for the dance team and games, but also with generous donations: over $200 were raised for Special Olympics in Kevin Bell’s memory.

Kevin Bell was an active participant in the Rockton area community. He was a Hononegah alum and employee, a horseback rider at BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding , and an Eagle Scout, as well as the coach of the teachers’ team for the student-faculty game for 15 years. He died in 2021.

“He had a tremendous amount of spirit for Hononegah athletics, especially football and basketball. He joyfully recruited teachers to play, and talked all the reluctant teachers into playing. Kevin would come to our classrooms to show us plays he had drawn up for the game for months prior to the game,” Renaissance Club advisor and faculty player Mrs. Beaulieu stated.

Bell’s efforts paid off: the faculty team tends to win the game every year. And with a goal to reclaim the title after losing to the student team last year, this year’s faculty team left it all on the court with their undeniable victory.

Despite some back-and-forth action during the first quarter, which ended 11-10 faculty, the faculty team remained in the lead for the rest of the game. Though they showed some fatigue in the last half of the fourth quarter, students were unable to take advantage of the situation, seeming just as worn out.

Faculty definitely took the spotlight this year. “Hopefully it motivates the juniors to bring their A game for next year,” Mrs. Beaulieu challenged.

Jacqueline Chen is a Hononegah senior and four-year member of the Hononegah Highlights staff.

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