MURFREESBORO, TN - The 17th annual Read To Succeed “Read To Bee Spelling Bee” sponsored by Redstone Federal Credit Union and Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation was held Friday evening, April 16th at Murfreesboro City Hall in the City Council Chambers. The event was broadcasted live on City of Murfreesboro Cable TV Channel and Facebook Live. Read To Succeed’s Executive Director, Jolene Radnoti, kicked off the live event by welcoming everyone and expressing the importance of literacy. She stated that some of the benefits of spelling bees are learning grammar and enhancing vocabulary.  

Thirteen 6th graders from Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County Schools gathered to compete for the title of 2021 Read To Bee Champion. The students were in the Council Chambers, while their family watched live in the rotunda. After more than 10 rounds, Julius Malden from Overall Creek Elementary spelled the winning word, Marmalade. Deangelo Villavincencio from Smyrna Middle School was the runner-up.

Some of the more difficult words during this Bee were “grandiose, dexterity, and defensiveness”. Lead Judge, Paige Hendrickson said, “The talented 6th graders from Rutherford County represented their schools, teachers, and classmates very well in this year’s modified competition. As always, I am honored and delighted to continue to serve these wonderful kids and this amazing organization (Read To Succeed) in fostering the legacy of literacy throughout the community.” Brad Mankin, Redstone Federal Credit Union, and Michael Linn White, City of Murfreesboro journalist and host, and 2020 Celebrity Bee Winner, also judged.  Reverend Martha Touchton with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church was the pronouncer again this year and did a wonderful job.

Winner Julius Malden was awarded the 2021 Read To Bee trophy along with a $125 cash prize from Red Stone Federal Credit Union.  Runner-up Deangelo Villavincencio received a $75 cash prize also from Red Stone Federal Credit Union. 

Read To Succeed congratulates all the 2021 contestants, their parents, and teachers for a wonderful 2021 Read To Bee and wishes all of these students’ successful futures. 

For more information and photos about Read To Bee, go to readtosucceed.org/readtobee.

About Read To Succeed

Read To Succeed improves lives in Rutherford County and promotes literacy with free programs and resources for children and adults. Read To Succeed supports its mission by fostering partnerships with providers, educators, community helpers, and business owners, creating events, and programming to promote literacy.