The Kent State Latino Networking Caucus hosted speaker Angelica Campos Friday during the opening luncheon for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Campos, a meteorologist for Fox 8 News, did not speak a word of English when she moved to the United States from Costa Rica as a 13-year-old. Campos said she strove to achieve her goals of mastering the English language and earning a college degree from that point onward.

Thirteen years later, Campos is fully bilingual and has recently earned a second college degree in geoscience.

Campos credited her diligence and humility as important to her success.

“Angelica Campos really highlights what Hispanic Heritage Month is all about,” Dave Garcia, LNC chair, said. “It [exists] to recognize the Hispanic culture, celebrate the Hispanic culture and … share stories about how we overcame challenges.”

Garcia said he hopes the events will pique the interest of Hispanic students who are looking for a connection to their culture. When Garcia founded the LNC in 2010, his goal was to provide Latino students with greater representation within the Kent community.

“I got a sense that there was a void for the Latino community,” Garcia said. “It was important to create a group with a strong interest in the Latino community.”

The LNC has organized a calendar of events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, beginning Sept. 15 with the first annual LNC/S.A.L.S.A. festival in Risman Plaza.

Sara Morato, LNC vice chair, said the family-friendly festival features a candy-filled piñata, a jalapeño eating contest, bingo, music and food.

The group has scheduled two guest speakers: ABC news anchor John Quiñones and former baseball player Carlos Baerga. The LNC will also host cultural events to celebrate Hispanic cuisine and dancing. Hispanic Heritage Month festivities will commence with the Homecoming Parade Oct. 20.

Morato said the organization wants to make this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration an annual event on campus. The group will use this year’s events as a learning experience, building on their successes to make next year’s celebration even better.

Garcia said LNC hopes the events will help highlight the group’s role on campus, as well as spread awareness of the group to the Kent State community. The LNC also hopes to partner with different Hispanic groups on campus in order to add variety to this school year’s event calendar.

Garcia said although he hopes the LNC will grow to provide a support system for Latino students — the group is not just for individuals with Hispanic backgrounds.

“It’s about having an interest in the Latino culture,” Garcia said. “Anyone interested in learning and celebrating it is welcome.”

Contact Katherine Schaeffer at [email protected].