By Roselyn Gonzalez, Hola Iowa
For Natalia Gomez Del Campo, 22, performing is second nature. A childhood dancer, she made a seamless transition to on-camera reporting. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Natalia now finds herself in the Midwest, but she isn’t a stranger to Iowa.
A connection to Iowa that began with her father
Jeronimo Gomez Del Campo grew up in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. At 15, he spent a year as a foreign exchange student in Des Moines, Iowa. His host mother, Sally Fisher, now a retired teacher, welcomed the teenager into her home.
During his time in the Midwest, the high school sophomore attended Lincoln High and joined the swim team. He had two host brothers, a host father and Fisher, who remained part of his life even after his time in Iowa ended. The two stayed in touch through letters over the years.
In the years that followed, Fisher continued opening her home to students, whether they were in high school or college.
“She taught generations of Iowans that went off and did really amazing things, and she’s told me all about their stories. It is something she’s so proud of,” Natalia said. “I imagine that they all have a sprinkle of Sally Fisher in them.”
Natalia first visited Des Moines when she was 9 years old. Her father brought her to Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Fisher family. Coming from Phoenix, the cornfields immediately stood out; she was no longer surrounded by palm trees.
“The level of friendliness that people in the Midwest have is just at a whole different level than something I’ll ever experience,” Natalia said as she reflected on her childhood visit to Des Moines.
Years later, Des Moines is now home.
After graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism, Natalia began looking for her first professional opportunity. Fisher was one of the first people she called. Thrilled by the news, Fisher invited Natalia to lunch.
From dancer to journalist
Natalia grew up knowing she wanted to be a writer. Creative writing never particularly interested her; journalism did.
She gravitated toward television in part because of her background as a dancer. Performing already felt natural. Her father supported the decision, she said, and has always believed his children are capable of accomplishing whatever they set their minds to.
“At the time, I did not see myself doing anything else. It was the only thing I was good at, and I love it,” Natalia said about choosing journalism. “The decision was made for me.”
Before appearing on camera, however, Natalia held several jobs that helped prepare her for her current role. One took her to the U.S.-Mexico border, an experience she said strengthened her understanding of the people behind the stories journalists cover.
“When you actually look them in the eye, a lot of them with their kids in hand, when you give them clothes that are donated, when you give them food, it is such a different level of human connection and human empathy than anything else, and it’s just unbeatable,” Natalia said about her ability to connect with people.
Empathy and Spanish shape how she approaches reporting
Though Natalia’s journalism career is just beginning, she already emphasizes the importance of treating sources with respect and not being intimidated when interviewing someone who has experienced tragedy.
“It definitely has made me a better journalist, and I realize that in little ways, you know, as I keep doing the journalism,” Natalia said.
Along with learning how to connect with sources, Natalia considers her ability to speak Spanish an important part of her work. She values being able to connect with her community and understand the people whose stories she tells.
“Why would anyone trust you to tell a really vulnerable story about them if you can’t even communicate and look them in the eye and understand what they are saying, so I’m proud of my Spanish,” Natalia said.
Making Des Moines home
For now, Natalia plans to continue immersing herself in her community. She loves traveling, the arts and discovering just about anything — interests that now accompany the beginning of her journalism career in a place already connected to her family’s history.
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