Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPS) Update:
- Fair Bear Writing Contest is an annual creative writing competition, established in 1994, centered on the mascot “Fair Bear”.
- This year’s theme, “Fair Bear is a First Responder,” guided student stories and contest judging.
- Dorothy Dean (Marshpoint Elementary) earned the Overall Grand Prize, announced at the Fair on October 4.
- Prizes included cash and plaques: Dorothy received $250, her school received $250, plus earlier grade awards.
- Marshpoint also produced another district winner, Savannah Acey, the district’s 5th-grade winner.
Marshpoint Elementary student Dorothy Dean has been named the Overall Grand Prize Winner of this year’s Fair Bear Writing Contest. Dorothy was one of 3,349 students who submitted an essay statewide in the competition. There were 32 system winners and statewide 1st-3rd place winners at each grade level (4th, 5th and 6th).
The Fair Bear Writing Contest, a tradition since 1994, invites students to hone their creative writing skills by writing a creative story inspired by “Fair Bear,” an American black bear that roamed near the Georgia National Fairgrounds in the 1980s and early 1990s. Sightings of the bear captured the attention of residents for over a decade and the bear became the mascot of the Georgia National Fair.
Each year’s competition has a different theme. This year’s was “Fair Bear is a First Responder.” Dorothy was initially named the overall 4th Grade Winner in the state back in April. The Grand Prize winner was announced at the Fair during the Fair Bear Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 4th.

As part of her overall first-place 4th grade finish, Dorothy was awarded a $100 cash prize and tickets for her family to attend the Georgia National Fair, with an additional $150 cash prize going to her school. As the Overall Grand Prize Winner, Dorothy, whose teacher was Mr. Kenneth Miller, received a plaque and a $250 cash prize with an additional $250 cash prize and plaque going to her school. Dorothy was not the only winner from Marshpoint Elementary. Savannah Acey was named the Savannah-Chatham Public School district’s 5th grade winner!
Congratulations to Marshpoint Elementary School and their very talented students!
Read more on the official SCCPSS website

