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Antonio “Nio” Ajero of Nacogdoches will compete as a division finalist in the Music Teachers National Association South Central Division Senior Piano Performance Competition.

Ajero, the son of Mario and Gina Ajero, earned the opportunity after winning the Texas State round of the MTNA Senior Piano Performance Competition Nov. 13 at the University of Houston. A senior at Nacogdoches High School, Ajero has been studying piano for 14 years and is currently a student of Minhae Lee at the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and Linda Parr in SFA’s Music Prep Division. He previously studied with Andrew Parr, professor emeritus of piano at SFA.

Ajero will advance to the South Central Division round, and if he wins the division, he will advance to the National Finals held at the 2022 MTNA National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in March.

The three-tiered MTNA competitions begin at the state level. Winners of each state competition advance to the division competition. Division winners then proceed to the national level.

To receive more information about MTNA National Competitions, call (888) 512-5278, email mtnanet@mtna.org or visit the website at www.mtna.org.

Music Teachers National Association is a nonprofit organization comprised of 17,000 independent and collegiate music teachers committed to advancing the value of music study and music making to society and to supporting the professionalism of music teachers. Founded in 1876, MTNA is the oldest professional music association in the U.S.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired thousands of people around the United States to make positive impacts in their community. To honor his legacy, Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is encouraging students, faculty and staff, and the Nacogdoches community to partake in this year’s MLK Day of Service.

“Nacogdoches is a college community filled with students from all over,” said Kori Lewis, OMA graduate assistant. “It also is home to many families native to East Texas. Therefore, it’s important for us to come together as a whole community and that our differences do not leave us divided. By participating in community service in Nacogdoches, SFA students and Nacogdoches organizations are closing that divide and showing there is strength in diversity.”

The annual event will take place Jan. 17, 2022. Interested participants can register online at sfasu.edu/OMA. Check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. on the second floor of the Baker Pattillo Student Center, followed by an introduction and address from a keynote speaker at 8:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom.

Participants will volunteer at service sites from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and they will return to campus at 1 p.m. for a drive-thru celebration. Students who participate in the MLK Day of Service will receive a free lunch and T-shirt.

This year, OMA will partner with local nonprofit organizations in Nacogdoches, such as Solid Foundation Association, Appleby Farm and Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful.

Nacogdoches community members are encouraged to submit project proposals by Jan. 7. Proposals can be entered on the OMA website. Past projects have included painting, landscaping and cleaning.

SFA faculty, staff and Nacogdoches community members also are invited to serve as site managers — a liaison for the site, volunteers and event staff members. Mentors will ensure volunteers have the information and materials needed to complete the service project. Those interested in volunteering can register on the OMA website by Jan. 7, 2022.

The MLK Day of Service was initiated to honor the acts of service by the late civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1994, MLK Day was designated as a national day of service and is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at oma@sfasu.edu, or visit sfasu.edu/oma.

By Nathan Wicker, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University