Correctly spelling the word “chimichanga” earned her the coveted Celebrity Spelling Bee Champion title Nov. 16.

Fifteen local celebrities battled it out to promote and support literacy in Rutherford County at the Celebrity Spelling Bee to benefit Read To Succeed. After an arduous battle—one filled with suspense, laughs, and some surprises—Commissioner Ray was the only celebrity left standing.

Just before the final round Dr. Paul Patel gave up his place in the Bee as “the last man standing” having already spelled two music-related words he was unfamiliar with.

Left on the stage were some real pros, spelling words which literally rolled off there tongues.

“I was really thinking that these ladies could go on spelling a long time,” said Ronni Shaw, Read To Succeed Executive Director.

In the final round, Ray beat out local philanthropist Gloria Laroche, Mrs. Murfreesboro Jeanne Bragg, and Facebook Celebrity Speller Suzy Wilson from CADCOR (Community Anti Drug Coalition of Rutherford County.)

“It’s a pretty nerve racking proposition to be spelling on that beautiful stage at Patterson. Two sets of camera were going (M’boro City Cable Ch. 3 and Nashville News Channel 4) with two or three folks taking still shots too. Not to mention an audience of people including the personal fan clubs the celebrities brought with them.

We had great Celebrity Spellers this year, many of whom did not seem rattled by the situation.”

The event, in its fourth year, was the most successful yet for Read To Succeed. Dozens of sponsors and generous community members donated over $37,000, nearly $5,000 more than the 2009 Celebrity Bee. In the midst of an uncertain economy, that number reflects Rutherford County’s commitment to a literate community.

State Farm Insurance, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund (through the LaVergne Plant), and the Adams Family Foundation were the main sponsors of the event.

They’re followed by a long list of donors: Gerald and Joanne Coggin, Colonial Pipeline, Gannett Foundation, Rebecca and Jennings Jones Foundation, Middle Tennessee Medical Center, MidSouth Bank and Rogers Group all donated at the “Celebrity Bee Champion” level.

Mike and Connie Boyle, Janet Camp, Ted and Gloria LaRoche, Murfreesboro Medical Clinic, John and Betsey Barton, Wild About Smiles!, Joe and Julia Powell, Publix Super Market Charities, Vanderbilt Cardiology, Utpal and Tina Patel, Dempsey Vantrease and Follis PLLC, Emerson Electric and Ernest and Peggy Burgess donated at the “Professional Speller” level.

AT&T, Steve and Lara Daniel, John and Marilyn Hood, Brian and Janet Lee, George and Lynn Lien, Ivan and Nancy Duggin, WGNS Radio, Gil’s Ace Hardware, Joe and Ronni Shaw, Waldron & Fann, Charles and Vicki Wendt, Andy and Cherry Womack, Mid-state Surgery and Mark and Leslie Akins, Murfreesboro Electric Department, Middle TN Electric Membership Corporation, Reeves Sain Family Medical Services and the LaVergne Rotary Club all donated at the “Master Speller” level.

In-kind donors included Murfreesboro Magazine, Bonefish Grill, Maple Street Grill, Demos’ Restaurant and Murfreesboro Automotive Group.

Many Bee attendees also donated to the cause. Shaw reminded the audience before the Bee that even a $25 donation is enough to buy materials for a learner in the organization’s adult literacy tutoring program. Every dollar supports literacy in Rutherford County. Donations toward the Celebrity Bee may be made for the next week at www.readtosucceed.org or RTS, PO Box 12161, 37129.

Visit readtosucceed.org for more information on all of the Celebrity Spellers, Read To Succeed’s mission, and its many programs and services offered in Rutherford County.