Nine local celebrities will put their reputations on the line Nov. 4 at the 15th annual Celebrity Spelling Bee, benefitting Read To Succeed.
“It’s a wonderful thing to have local celebs come out and show their support for a local nonprofit while also duking it out for the trophy,” Read To Succeed Executive Director Jolene Radnoti said.
This year’s competitors are Frank Caperton, photographer and historian; Delon Eckles, Smyrna firefighter; Essence Brisco, Rutherford County Works; Lori Cutler, Redstone Federal Credit Union; Dr. Echell Eady, TN College of Applied Tech; Justin Holder, Parks Realty; Robin Seay, Parks Realty; Lisa Trail, Murfreesboro City Schools; and James Evans, Rutherford County Schools.
The Celebrity Spelling Bee serves as Read To Succeed’s largest fundraiser of the year, averaging over $65,000 in donations and sponsorships for the Murfreesboro-based nonprofit. These funds are used to promote literacy for both children and adults throughout Rutherford County.
In just the past three months, Read To Succeed has donated more than 4,000 books to teachers and students, taught English as a second language to 180 immigrants in the area and tutored over 20 Adult Basic English students as their work toward earning their HiSET—a GED equivalent diploma.
“The Celebrity Bee really is all about the community because that’s who we serve,” Radnoti said. “Our programs put books in the hands of our local students, help English-speaking adults improve their literacy skills so they can earn their diploma. We also help foreign adults improve their English so they can be a bigger part of the community”
While the Celebrity Spelling Bee is closed the general audience, media members are invited to attend. To inquire about attending the event, contact Anthony Czelusniak at MediaEvents@ReadToSucceed.org
For more information about the event, go to https://www.readtosucceed.org/celebrity-bee/