April 28, 2025
Rutherford County Schools
Rutherford County Schools students claimed top honors at Read To Succeed's 21st Annual Read To Bee 6th Grade Spelling Bee.
Held Friday at Murfreesboro City Hall, the competition was intense and lasted 20 rounds. In the end, Precious Anum from Thurman Francis Academy claimed first place by correctly spelling "seafaring."
James Stevens from Smyrna Middle School, who competed as the school’s alternate, came in second after misspelling "laborious" — a tremendous accomplishment. Third place went to Central Magnet's Jacob Hayden Rivera, who exited on the word "sinewy."
Anum received $150 for the win, with Stevens and Rivera earning $100 and $50, respectively.
Other RCS students competing were Tyson Clark from LaVergne Middle, Zaryah Bell from Rockvale Middle and Asia Shekhan from Whitworth-Buchanan Middle.
Students from Murfreesboro City Schools also competed.
Thanks to Redstone Federal Credit Union for sponsoring and to the City of Murfreesboro and City TV.
Photo: Courtesy of Read To Succeed