Our Community
December 2016
Page 7 CALDWELL PERSPECTIVE
Caldwell High School Student, Tatiana Velasco studies in France!
Tatiana (far right) and two of the friends she made while in the program.
Caldwell High School senior Tatiana Velasco had an amazing exchange experience abroad in Rennes, France this summer with 19 other girls from other parts of the country. She applied for and received a scholarship of $5,900.00 to study abroad through the CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange). CFEO (Caldwell Foundation for Education Opportunity) awarded her another $500 towards her abroad study. She found out about the abroad study opportunity through her friend, Armando, who also received a scholarship to study in Spain. She wanted to experience learning a language first-hand and to learn about the different traditions and forms of community in France. She hoped to come back with a deeper understanding of her own culture and gain a new perspective on how she viewed things in our country. She left on July 8th and spent 4 weeks in Rennes, France during which she studied language and culture, returning home on August 8th. During her stay, she lived with a retired nurse who was her “host mom.” While there,
she met two amazing girls, one from Nebraska and the turn their heads when my friend, who wore her hijab, other from New Jersey. walked by. They kind of seemed awkward and uneasy by Once she arrived to her new home, her host mom her presence, and in my opinion, it was the saddest thing showed her the way to school if she chose to walk there and to encounter. It just made me realize how big of a problem also how to take the bus. She had classes in the mornings it really is, everywhere.” and after lunch. She also attended community activities “The trip definitely changed my perspective on life and went on excursions. in the way that I think. I have become much more openHer experience was much more than she expected. minded and really learned that I have to take care of myself She really connected with her host mom, and described it physically and mentally in order for me to perform well.” like hanging out with the grandma she never had. Tatiana “I have had a preset mind to study medicine in my was in France when the attack in Nice occurred. She said future, so while this didn’t change, I now think that I she came away from the experience seeing the problem will look into more abroad study opportunities after high with terrorism first-hand and what it was like to live with school, and I would like to further my studies in the French it. Overall her experience made her much more aware of language and possibly take on another language.” herself and she was surprised to find that her ability to Tatiana is in her 3rd year in the TRIO Upward Bound connect with the people and the place was much deeper program at Caldwell High School. The program includes than she expected. students whose neither parent went beyond a high Through this experience she said that she has a better school education. The program promotes and provides understanding of what values are truly the most important opportunities to those students to encourage education to her and she learned what type of an environment she beyond high school. wished for in her future. She also learned that she could pursue her dream, no matter how far away it took her from her family, and that she would have their support. Before she went on this trip, she said, “I had 5K Run/Walk around and through Whittenberger Park ideas about how I thought the French people were going to treat me, but I came to find after Saturday, December 17, 2016 10:00 A.M. multiple times of getting lost and such that they were overall a super sweet and friendly people. $25 Early Sign-up through December 6th However, I also became aware that prejudice ($35 thereafter, through race morning) does exist within some French people.” “I guess I had never really thought about Event Location: Centennial Way and Chiprejudice in other countries until I went to this cago Street, just off I-84, exit 27 in Caldwell. one. I noticed how some people would sort of
UGLY SWEATER 5K
Scam of the Month-“Secret Shopper” Scam by Emily Valla, Marketplace Director, BBB Northwest
When he opened his mail and saw a check for $3,700, one Treasure Valley man thought he was about to make extra cash just in time for the holiday season. The letter explained he’d been selected to be a “secret shopper” and he just needed to purchase gift cards at a nearby major store and complete a survey. The plan sounded easy enough! He took the check to the bank and followed instructions to purchase gift cards and send wire transfers equating to about $3,000. A few weeks later, the bank called: that original check had insufficient funds, and now, he was on the hook for the money. Yikes! Better Business Bureau calls this the “Secret Shopper” scam, and while it occurs yearround, we see the frequency increase around the holiday season. If you get a check in the mail or see a solicitation advertising “secret shopper” or “mystery shopper” positions, keep a few tips in mind from BBB: • Some positions are more likely to be scams: Always be wary of secret shopper positions or any
by Leora Summers, Editor
job with a generic title, such as admin assistant or customer service representative. These often don’t require special training or licensing, so they appeal to a wide range of applicants. • Watch out for these phrases: Scam ads often contain the phrases “Teleworking OK,” “Immediate Start” and “No Experience Needed.” Watch out for ads that urge you to apply immediately. • If a job looks suspicious, search for it in Google. If the result comes up in many other cities with the exact same job post, it is likely a scam. • Be very cautious of any job that asks you to share personal information or hand over money. Scammers will often use the guise of running a credit check, setting up direct deposit or paying for training. • Check out the business’ website to make sure the opening is posted there. If you are still skeptical, call the business to check on the position. Don’t rely on websites or phone numbers provided in the advertisement; find the “employer” on your own to make sure it’s the real deal. If you are uncertain if something may be a scam, Better Business Bureau is a resource for you. Check BBB.org/ScamTracker, call our local office at (208) 342-4649 or visit bbb.org/Northwest.
What I want for Christmas–NOT!
by Leora Summers, Editor
Mommy Kara Abarusa, asked her boys, ages 7 and 6, to circle what they wanted for Christmas in a store’s advertiser that was sent to her in the mail...
Registration: www.runsignup.com/Race/ID/ Caldwell/UglySweater
Sponsored by Canyon Track Club—a youth not-for-profit organization
Merry Christmas Henbergs
‘Tis The Season To Be
This is what they gave her!
JOLLY
Gotta love it! Too funny!
We give you a reason to...
Brother Browns BBQ Mon.-Sat. 11 AM-2 PM & 4-9 PM
O Chri pen stm 3 PM as Day -Clo se
visit us at collinsdmd.com
Kyle Collins, DMD
301 E. Ash St. • 454-1222 info@collinsdmd.com
College Bowl Football Games Begin December 17th
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