The 16th annual Read To Succeed "Read To Bee Spelling Bee" sponsored by Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation and Red Stone Federal Credit Union was held Friday evening, April 5 at Patterson Park.

Read To Succeed Executive Director Jolene Radnoti kicked off the event by welcoming everyone and expressing the importance of literacy. She said some of the benefits from spelling bees are learning grammar and enhancing vocabulary.

Twenty-one 6th graders from Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County Schools and local private schools gathered to compete for the title of 2019 Read To Bee Champion. After more than 23 rounds, Nicole Chunn from Thurman Francis Arts Academy spelled the winning word, Advocate. Devontae Watson from Central Magnet Middle School was the runner-up.

Some of the more difficult words during this Bee were "encryption" and "scrupulous."

"It is an honor to help with the Bee, and to see these spelling champs brave the stage. They spell better and show more courage under pressure than many adults I know. I hope they all walk away proud of the successes that brought them to the Read to Bee, and that it is a positive stepping stone to bright futures," Lead Judge Janie Becker said.

Paige Hendrickson, Motlow State Community College, and Meredity Thomas, Parks Realtor and 2018 Celebrity Bee Winner, also judged. Rev. Martha Touchton with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church was the pronouncer again this year and did a fantastic job, Radnoti said.

Winner Nicole Chunn was awarded the 2019 Read To Bee trophy along with a $125 cash prize from Red Stone Federal Credit Union. Runner-up Devontae Watson received a $75 cash prize also from Red Stone Federal Credit Union.

Read To Succeed congratulates all the 2019 contestants, their parents, and teachers for a wonderful 2019 Read To Bee and wishes all of these students successful futures.

For more information on this event and other literacy events in Rutherford County, call 615/738-READ (7323), or follow Read To Succeed on Facebook and Twitter.