PGCA kicked off its third nine weeks with a field trip to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Little Theater in Meridian, Ms. Tired students ambled onto the bus Friday morning. However, their fatigue soon turned to excitement as they awaited departure. Questions were discussed and comments were made. “How would Charlie find his ticket?” “How would they make Violet turn into a big blueberry onstage?” These questions were soon answered as the students sat glued to their seats watching the characters sing and dance onstage.

Each student, teacher, and chaperone watched the story unfold before his or her eyes. Five golden tickets were to be hidden in five Willy Wonka candy bars who would be the lucky children to receive them? The contest became a worldwide mania, with people resorting to increasingly desperate and unscrupulous measures to find the tickets, and anyone who succeeded became front-page headline news and a worldwide celebrity. Charlie and four bad children, the gluttonous Augustus Gloop, spoiled

Veruca Salt, gum-addicted Violet Beauregarde, and television-obsessed Mike Teavee, won the contest and went on the tour, led by Wonka. As the group moved from room to room, the tour turned into a punishment for the bad children as one child after another fell victim to his/her particular vices and was removed. Augustus fell into a chocolate river and was sucked up a pipe to the fudge room; Violet turned into a blueberry after consuming experimental chewing gum; Veruca was thrown down a garbage chute after attempting to take one of Wonka's nut-cracking squirrels for her own; and Mike was shrunk after meddling with dangerous television equipment. At the end of the day, a very disapointed Willy Wonka, sees the last child to the gate. Charlie pauses before he exits, “Mr. Wonka, I don’t deserve the life time supply of chocolate.” Puzzled, Willy Wonka turned to Charlie, “Why not?” he asked. Charlie explained how he and Grandpa Joe had stayed longer in one of the rooms during the tour and they had broken all the rules by drinking the Fizzy Lifting Drink. Of course, Wonka already knew what they had done; however, he had not expected Charlie to confess and apologize. Charlie’s honesty awarded him in the end. He not only received a lifetime supply of chocolate, but he also received ownership of the chocolate factory.

As the students reloaded the bus, it became noticeable by every parent and staff member that the favorite song (which they sang the rest of the day) and character of the play was the Candy Man.

The excited students were surprised by a visit to Twin Lakes Park where they walked around, played in the play place, or swung in swings. An hour later, they found themselves devouring pizza at their all time favorite eatery, CiCi’s Pizza.

However, all good things must end. The students loaded the bus one last time to head home. On the way home, they were surprised once more when the bus driver, Sis Deanna Hillman, began to drive down back roads to go view the “castle.” To each student’s, staffs’, and chaperones’, amazement there truly was a miniature castle in the middle of nowhere. It was complete with a barn boasting the family crest and Shetland ponies in the front yard.

The excitement dwindled as they neared the school. Students unloaded, still singing the Candy Man song, and left. One more successful field trip.