By Selah Bell
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will again be represented at a great cause when local nonprofit Read To Succeed will host its 18th annual Celebrity Spelling Bee Nov. 8 at The View at Fountains at Gateway.
Connie Casha, director of MTSU’s Early Learning Programs in the College of Education, will be among the community leaders from Rutherford County who will make up this year contestants who’ll put their spelling skills to the test in support of the literacy advocacy organization.
“I’m not sure that I’m a celebrity but I’m excited to be representing MTSU,” Casha said.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and the event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Attendees and community members have the option to sponsor the event or donate in support of contestants. Donations can be made online, but for those who want to attend, tickets are available for $75. Attendees can also reserve an eight-person table for $600.
Joining Casha representing MTSU will be Hans Malebranche, associate athletic director and chief development officer for MTSU Athletics, who quips in the promotional video on Read to Succeed’s website that he initially thought the organization wanted him to be a judge.
“There is no doubt in my mind that that is going to be an utter failure unless you step up, click the link, make a donation and help us raise support for a great cause and this incredible organization that’s doing really important work here in our community,” he said.
While talking about why she was excited to be involved, Casha said Read To Succeed does an excellent job of “making sure that our children have the best start in life and are able to become productive citizens one day in our community.”
All proceeds raised will go toward improving literacy in Rutherford County. Donations support Read To Succeed’s adult literacy program, ESL (English as a second language) and ELL (English language learning) classes, as well as youth and family literacy programs.
“Literacy is the foundation upon which opportunity is built,” said Jolene Radnoti, executive director of Read To Succeed. “By empowering children and adults with the ability to read, we are not just opening doors to knowledge — we are unlocking the potential for brighter futures, stronger communities, and lasting change. Together, we can write a better story for everyone.”
For more information on the Celebrity Spelling Bee, Read To Succeed, or to make a donation, visit https://readtosucceed.org. Videos introducing the Spelling Bee contestants can also be found on the Celebrity Spelling Bee page.
The View at Fountains is located at 1500 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 4D, in Murfreesboro.
Selah Bell is a senior from Hendersonville, Tennessee, majoring in English with a Writing minor.
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