Students from West Dallas Community School were treated to an extra special field trip experience at Dallas Children’s Theater in October 2011.
After watching the Dallas Children’s Theater stage adaptation of Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, based on the popular children’s book that the students read in class, the group stayed in their front row seats for an encore presentation.

Amanda and George P. Bush, nephew of former president George W. Bush, thanked the students in person for their participation in an essay writing contest in which they were challenged to re-tell to Alexander about their no good, very bad day.

The winners of the contest had been hand selected by former first lady Barbara Bush, who greeted the students in a pre-recorded message. “I have read these wonderful essays, and I must say, you are a very talented and imaginative group of students,” Mrs. Bush applauded. “I want to thank the Dallas Children’s Theater and West Dallas Community School for joining me in this special project that helped promote reading, my favorite thing in the world.”

Unbeknownst to the contest winners, their proud parents snuck into the theater before the show and then congratulated their excited children after receiving their recognition.