Hispanos Unidos will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Entra la Plaza event in the campus mall area Oct. 9.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries, September 15. Mexico gained its independence September 16, and Chile declared independence September 18.
Hispanos Unidos is a multicultural student organization established in 1999 to celebrate Latin American culture and make sure the Hispanic minority would be represented on campus. Hispanos Unidos President Elroy Johnson, sophomore marketing major from Frisco, said he believed strongly in the purpose of the group.
“Our main purpose is to show God’s love through the culture of Latin America on the ACU campus,” Johnson said.
The group has brought Hispanic performing groups to campus in previous years to celebrate the month. Cristina and Latin Vibes, a Puerto Rican band from the Metroplex and the ACU Latin dancing group, Milonga, will perform. Rosa’s Café will provide food, and Hispanos Unidos will decorate for the event.
This year’s event is geared toward all Latin cultures, unlike in previous years when the focus was on Mexican heritage.
Adrianna Castaneda, a member of Hispanos Unidos and sophomore advertising/PR major from San Antonio, emphasized the changes to Entra la Plaza.
“Entra la Plaza is going to be very different this year, because they will be incorporating a lot of different cultures, like Cuban food and a Puerto Rican band,” she said.
The organization will be sponsoring other events this month. The group will watch a CNN series featuring Latino culture and conduct discussion forums about the state of Hispanic culture.
“Latino Americans are the fastest growing minority group in America,” Johnson said. “This month means a lot to me, because it allows us to recognize the heritage of Latin America in America and to honor their achievements.”
Hispanic Heritage Month gives group members an opportunity to present their culture and heritage to others.
“My favorite part of Hispanic heritage would be the family values,” Castaneda said. “Everyone is very close and involved with each other.”
