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'Vacation' Firsts For Spokane Retiree

A Spokane, Wash., woman got more than she bargained for when she came out to see The Early Show's Dave Price surprise someone in the crowd with a "Great American Vacation."

Joyce Bergman thought she was on hand with others from Orchard Center Elementary School to help celebrate her former boss, Principal Travis Peterson. But it was Bergman who was surprised with a dream vacation — and what will be several firsts for her.

Teacher's assistant Rikki Andrews wrote to The Early Show about how devoted Bergman was to her job as a teacher's assistant — a job that Bergman recently retired from after 33 years. She's one of those people who gives everything she does everything she has, according to Andrews who, as a child, attended the same school and was disciplined by Bergman.


Dave Price and Joyce Bergman chat after .


Bergman was brought to tears when Price broke the news.

"I suspected these guys," she said. "They've been putting me through a lot lately."

To kick off her retirement, Bergman is headed to Bermuda for a wonderful vacation — five days and four nights at the island's most exclusive resort and residential community, Tucker's Point Club.

The trip includes dinner on the beach and full use of the club's golf, beach and tennis clubs. It's five days to play or just be lazy on a stretch of beautiful pink sand.

Airfare is provided by our friends at American Airlines, the official airline partner of the "Great American Vacation."


Washington is second largest wine producer in the United States. with two former lawyers who now deal with different kinds of cases.

Bergman shared with Price that she has never been anywhere except Idaho and Seattle, that she has never flown before.

Bergman's husband was also brought to tears by the announcement.

"It's hard for her after so many years of her doing her job," he told Price. "We want to thank everyone from the community who surprised us — it's a total surprise."

Check out our map: if you live in one if the cities we're visiting, tell us about the one thing we just have to see and about someone there who's deserving of a "Great American Vacation."

E-mail us at vacation@cbsnews.com
Who knows ... maybe we'll send them packing!

Our next stop is in Yakima, Wash., on Wednesday, July 5, when another lucky person will be surprised with a fabulous getaway.

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