Annual School Spelling Bee a Success!

Apr 25, 2017 at 08:10 am by bryan


The annual Read To Succeed "Read To Bee" Spelling Bee sponsored by Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation was held Friday evening, April 21st, at Patterson Park. Fifteen 6th graders from Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County Schools gathered to compete for the title of 2017 Read To Bee Champion.

An early winner after only 9 rounds led to a "spell-off" to compete for runner-up. Ethan Kennan from Thurman Francis Arts Academy spelled the winning word cavalier. Four spellers from the previous round were then asked to compete for runner up which went for several more rounds ending with Alyssa Perez of Cason Lane Academy spelling abominate to become the 1st runner-up.

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Other challenging words included prognosticate, carcinogen, plagiarism, and laureate. Lead Judge, Diane Mackey, said "I wish we had awards for the top five (spellers) because there were so many great spellers this year!". Completing our attentive judging team were Janie Becker, Read To Succeed Executive Board Member, and Suzy Willis, Murfreesboro City Schools - Retired. Martha Touchton, St. Mark's Minister of Education, demonstrated practiced articulation as pronouncer.

Winner, Ethan Kennan, was awarded the 2017 Read To Bee trophy along with a $125 cash prize from Franklin Synergy Bank. Runner-up, Alyssa Perez, received a $75 cash prize from Franklin Synergy, and both students received tickets provided by Murfreesboro Parks and Rec for Junie B. Jones the Musical at the Patterson Park Theater in May.

Read To Succeed congratulates all the 2017 contestants, their parents, and teachers for a wonderful 2017 Read To Bee and wishes all of these students successful futures. Thank you to the judges, pronouncer, and many supporters who made this event possible!

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

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