Hispanos Unidos kicks off the year with its annual Entra a la Plaza event for its 20th anniversary.

Dr. Pat Hernandez and Bob Gomez founded Hispanos Unidos in 1991.

Hispanos Unidos will work to make it’s sixth Entra a la Plaza special, said Elroy Johnson, senior marketing major and events coordinator for the office of multicultural enrichment from Frisco.

“It’s going to be bigger than ever,” Johnson said. “This is going to be the greatest event we have had in years.”

Entra a la Plaza will be take place Friday from 6-9 p.m. in front of the Hunter Welcome Center. The event will feature a DJ, a mariachi band, Mexican dancers and more.

Hispanos Unidos is a big part of ACU’s Mexican, Hispanic and Latino community on campus, said its new president, Catherine Narvaez junior sociology major from San Antonio. Entra a la Plaza is an extention of that, Johnson said.

“Entra a la Plaza is a great way to portray or showcase Hispanic heritage month and to get the university and community involved with ACU’s diversity,” Johnson said.

David Salinas, junior physical therapy major from San Antonio, said Entra a la Plaza was a meaningful celebration for him.

“This event makes me feel proud to be Hispanic at ACU,” Salinas said.

Last year Entra a la Plaza had an attendance of about 200-300. This year Hispanos Unidos expects around 600 participants, including prospective students and alumni, Narvaez said. Johnson said the club chose to break with tradition by having the event in the Hunter Welcome Center rather than outdoors to give the event more of a “plaza feel.”

Hispanos Unidos intends to conduct more events around the Abilene community than just Entra a la Plaza, Narvaez said.

“I want to see the group expand into a bigger organization,” Narvaez said.

Narvaez said she is very proud of her leadership team and plans on bettering her team by spreading to the Hispanic leadership council in Abilene. Hispanos Unidos has a big job ahead of it, but with the help of Narvaez, Johnson and the leadership team, it will be in good hands, Johnson said.

“They are doing a tremendous job,” Johnson said.

Students interested in Hispanos Unidos can meet its members Thursday at their special combined chapel with the Black Students Association and International Students Association.