Publication Credits

Books

Engrams, Moderator Press Publishing, 2020

Romancing the Ink, Moderator Press Publishing, coming December 2021

Poems

“Ode to Toilet Paper”, Currents Literary Magazine, 2014

“Relic”, Ginkgo Tree Review, 2013

Performance Credits

Regents American College London Poetry Fest, 2012*

Drury University Annual English Department Poetry Night, 2013

Big Momma’s Great Big Poetry Slam, 2014

Upcoming event for Sierra Arts Foundation, Summer 2021

*I was studying abroad and do not have a program for this event.

Accomplishments and Contributions to Poetry

Awards and Honors

Recipient – Sierra Arts Foundation Grants to Artists Award for Literary Arts, 2021

Recipient – Currents Literary Magazine Award for Excellence in Poetry, 2013

Finalist – Regents American College London Best Showcase in Poetry, Emerging Artists category, 2012

Volunteer Work

The Rare Breed Youth Outreach, 2011-2014

While attending college, I volunteered at the only shelter for at-risk, homeless and runaway youth in Springfield, Missouri. Once per week or bi-weekly, I taught a poetry class to the youth at the shelter. The class was open to anyone at the shelter and involved youth ages 13 to 18. The first part of the class was dedicated to teaching the youth about poetic devices and techniques, then reading poems that exemplified them. The second part of the class involved discussing the poems we read together or sharing poetry that inspired us. Youth who were interested in writing poetry also participated in monthly workshops where they could share their poetry and receive feedback before performing their poetry on select poetry nights. Many of the youth in attendance were also aspiring artists or musicians, and our poetry nights were an opportunity for these youth to learn how poetry can impact their own artistic craft and inspire them.

Kerri R. Cox, Ed.D.3920 White Oak Rd.Fordland, MO 65652417.380.0914

April 15, 2021

Dear Representatives of the Reno Arts and Culture Commission,

As a teacher, there are always students I hope to inspire, and if I am lucky, there are studentswho inspire me. Dustin Howard is one such student. I have followed his artistic career since thedays when he was a young student in my English classroom in rural southwest Missouri. To seehim grow into a published poet with a strong commitment to sharing his love of the arts isnothing short of awe-inspiring.

Through the years, I have taught thousands of students. Dustin is one who stands out since hewas already a powerful writer even as a young teenager. I remember proudly entering his workin a local writing contest and seeing his name show up on the awards list soon after. His workhad the power to garner attention and touch readers even then.

In the years since, Dustin has continued to not only hone his craft but to share his love of it withothers. I was lucky to receive a gift of his published poetry collection Engrams in the mail fromhim and admired the thoughtful work inside. His writing has a clear natural voice that invitesreaders in, while still having thoughtful elements that don’t seem forced. That is hard to achieve.This writing style perfectly matches who Dustin is as a person, as well.

Dustin’s open, thoughtful personality and his writing achievements make him perfect for the roleof Reno’s poet laureate. He can share the love of the written word, inviting readers in, just as hedoes as an author. His experiences working with homeless youth, as well as his experiencegrowing up as both an insider and an outsider in a small town, show him to be someone whounderstands the power of poetry and who wants to help others find—and share—their ownvoices.

It is my pleasure to highly recommend Dustin Howard for Reno’s poet laureate. If you havefurther questions, you may email me at librarykerri@gmail.com or phone me at 417.380.0914.

With sincere appreciation,

Kerri Cox, Ed.D.

Sarah Keeth326 N. Boonville Ave. #302Springfield, Missouri 65806(417) 448-7633sarahkeeth123@gmail.com

22nd April 2021

To the Selection Committee,

I am writing today in support of Dustin Howard as the next Poet Laureate of Reno. I havehad the pleasure of knowing Dustin for over a decade and have enjoyed his writing sincehe was just a teenager in my high school English class. He has always been talented--astandout student among his peers--and I got to watch Dustin grow as a writer. I amincredibly proud of what he has written and accomplished and feel fortunate to havebeen part of his narrative.

Since having Dustin as a student, he has gone on to accomplish great feats. He was aDrury University Trustee Scholar and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in English and Writing.Even greater though, in my opinion, is the time he spent with at-risk and homelessteenagers in Springfield, Missouri. What started out as a college project turned into anendeavor in which he shared his love of writing with young people. He continues toinspire readers of all ages with his collection of poetry and novel, Engrams and Breakvale.

Dustin would make an excellent Poet Laureate as his personality and talent enrapturethose he encounters. He’s an advocate for the LGBTQIA community, and combined withhis personal experiences, he possesses a warmth and empathy that reaches and affectsothers. I know his goal as Poet Laureate is to continue inspiring young people, and I haveno doubts he will accomplish that and so much more if given the opportunity. I wish helived closer as I would certainly welcome him into my current classrooms to share his lifeand words with my students.

For these reasons and more, I highly recommend Dustin Howard to be the Reno PoetLaureate. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best Regards,

Sara� Keet�

Sarah Keeth, EdS, MsEd

Artist Statement and Vision for the Role of Reno Poet Laureate

As a writer and member of the LGBTQIA community, I have often used writing as a method

for understanding myself and my place in the world around me. I grew up poor, and in a poor area of southwest Missouri where attitudes toward gay people still leaned into homophobia. Those attitudes and perspectives at times warped my sense of self. While I was exceedingly fortunate to have loving and accepting parents, I still struggled for a long time with how to reconcile my sexual and social identities. Like many artists, poetry became an integral part of my exploration of self. I want my voice as a writer to represent others like me, but also to inspire everyone. There is empowerment in poetry, and I endeavor to create poetry that unifies and empowers others.

I first came to understand the true power that poetry has when I began volunteering at a shelter for at-risk, homeless and runaway youth. What was supposed to be a semester-long project in college became a multi-year effort to teach and inspire youth who had an interest in poetry, art and music. Almost all the youth who attended these classes came from poor families with histories of drug abuse, domestic violence, mental and emotional abuse, or were forced out of their home for being gay, lesbian or transgendered. Some of them were made tough from living on the streets, while others were simply seeking refuge from their chaotic homelife; but as diverse as they were, they held one thing in common: trauma. Our poetry nights became an outlet for these youths to share their traumas and anxieties through the lens of a poem that spoke to them, sometimes giving them the courage to talk about struggles they otherwise wanted to keep to themselves. Many of these youths were also aspiring artists or musicians and learning about poetry taught them how to see their own craft in a new light. Poetry became a great unifier for these youths, and they were endlessly fascinated at how some poet who lived two hundred years ago and in a different part of the world could commit words to a page that managed to capture their own feelings at that very moment. That is the power of poetry.

As the Reno Poet Laureate, I will strive to create this same kind of bridge between poetry and the people of Reno, with a particular focus on engaging and inspiring the youth in our area through poetry and the arts. My vision for the role of Reno Poet Laureate would therefore be to serve as an ambassador for the arts and the city of Reno. My highest priority would be to speak to middle school and high school students, establish a residency in a school, and participate in various public gatherings and educational settings. I want to teach them that poetry is everywhere and in everything we do. Working with youth is just one way to foster a strong community presence, however; I will want to establish regular office hours so that I can be available and accessible to the people of Reno. I hope to work with community members on at least one collaborative project per year. My ideal project would take the form of an anthology of poetry by local writers, with cover art and illustrations by local artists, and published by a local publisher. This anthology would specifically include space for young, high-school and college-aged poets who would receive their first publishing credit. Not only will this support their ambitions to be writers or poets, but it can connect them to established poets and artists in the area who could serve as mentors to the next generation of Reno poets.