(MURFREESBORO) The 19th annual Read To Succeed Spelling Bee was held April 14, 2023 at Patterson Park.

Executive Director Jolene Radnoti, kicked off the event expressing the importance of literacy. She stated that some of the benefits from spelling bees are learning grammar and enhancing vocabulary.

Fifteen 6th graders from Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County Schools and local private schools gathered to compete for the title of 2023 Read To Bee Champion. After 16 rounds, Chloe White from Blackman Middle School spelled the winning word, Propaganda. Libby Haynes from Providence Christian Academy was the runner-up.

Some of the more difficult words during this Bee were “entrepreneur” and “boroughs. Lead Judge, Matthew Joseph said, “It was a privilege to serve as a judge for the spelling bee this year. Each contestant performed admirably and hopefully had fun as well. Congratulations to all for a job well done!” Francela Salas, Redstone Federal Credit Union, and Meredith Thomas, Parks Realtor and 2018 Celebrity Bee Winner, also judged. Michael Linn White with Murfreesboro’s City-TV (2020 Celebrity Bee winner) was the pronouncer again this year.

Winner Chloe White was awarded the 2023 Read To Bee trophy along with a $125 cash prize from Red Stone Federal Credit Union. Runner-up Libby Haynes received a $75 cash prize also from Red Stone Federal Credit Union.

Schools held individual spelling bees to find a winner/alternate to compete. Participating schools and the winner/alternates were: Speller Gavin Kennedy, alternate was Javier Morena from Black Fox Elementary; Speller Chloe White, alternate was Syed Raza from Blackman Middle; Speller Israel Areri, alternate was Jaylen Roberson from Cason Lane; Speller Elizabeth Hamilton, alternate was Nathaniel Cadle from Central Magnet Middle; Speller Taylor Newell, alternate was Kelly Krisher from Christiana Middle; Speller Ellis Stricklin, alternate was Andrew Martin from Discovery School, Speller Galaxie Clinton, alternate was Ja’Kire Carter from Hobgood Elementary; Speller Jasmine Luther, alternate was Thida Lasaphangthong from John

Pittard; Speller Keyla Meda Monge from Mitchell-Nielson; Speller Lily Utley, alternate was Lavian Perrell from Northfield Elementary; Speller Essence Medeiros, alternate was Payton Bowens from Overall Creek; Speller Libby Haynes, alternate was Lexie Hassan from Providence Christian Academy; Speller Alonzo Smith, alternate was Zeb Roming from Rockvale Middle; Speller Sarah Jameel, alternate was Anna William from Smyrna Middle and Speller Trent Lowe, alternate was Alondra Vizcarra from Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School.

Read To Succeed congratulates all the 2023 contestants, alternates, their parents, and teachers for a wonderful 2023 Read To Bee and wishes all of these students successful futures. 

The Spelling Bee was sponsored by Red Stone Federal Credit Union.

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