The graduate of Pike High School in Indianapolis says poetry is needed now more than ever "to remind us of the beauty that still surrounds us despite all of the seemingly unending anger and strife."

Shari Wagner steps into the role of Poet Laureate for Indiana as the state celebrates its bicentennial and the centennial of its state parks.

The Indiana Arts Commission announced Shari Wagner of Westfield has been selected as the new Indiana Poet Laureate.. She teaches poetry and memoir writing at the Indiana Writers Center and literature for Butler University's religion, spirituality and the arts seminar.

The Indiana Poet Laureate represents the State of Indiana and the art of poetry through the development and implementation of programming to the education community and general public.