Thomas County Middle School fifth-grade student Lyra McLain has been named the second place 5th-grade winner at the state level for the 2023 Georgia National Fair Bear essay contest.  

The annual competition asks students to write a story about an American black bear who lived from 1980-1993 in Middle Georgia near the Georgia National Fairgrounds.  The bear’s path often involved crossing 1-75 where it met its tragic death in 1993.  It was immortalized as the Georgia National Fair’s mascot and has been the subject of their writing competition since 1994.

This year’s topic was “Fair Bear Discovers the Public Library.”  Students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade were asked to write a creative story about Fair Bear’s visit to the public library; what he discovers when he walks through the door, how he feels when he receives his first library card, what activities they have, and what books he borrowed.   

McLain, who is a student in Rena Crew’s language arts class, will receive $75.00 and tickets to The Georgia National Fair.  Crew will receive $100 to be used towards educational items in her classroom.

The winning essays can be found on the Georgia National Fair’s website at https://www.georgianationalfair.com/p/georgialiving/fairbear.