Derek M. Robbins*, a modern-day renaissance man, is a painter, artist, author, poet, musician, DJ, producer, director, standup comedian and software consultant. Born in Washington D.C., he excelled academically, at both Parkdale and Largo High schools daily (an anomaly of court-ordered busing). He'd finish his day either taking classes at PG Community College, or working as a programmer for the National Weather Service. High school honors included President of the Chess Club, National Merit Semi-finalist, Federal Junior Fellowship, Who's Who Among American High School Students, and the Largo Lions Award for Scholarship, Leadership and School Spirit.He studied history at Concordia College in… Moorhead, MN, while contributing heavily to the campus newspaper's creative insert, Visions, and hosted the morning show at Moorhead State University's KMSC radio station.He earned his Bachelor's from North Dakota State University, with majors in History, Political Science, Multicultural Studies, and Computer Science. His collegiate accomplishments included: the Concordia History Scholarship (highest GPA among history majors); Freshman Chess Champion; record store chain consultant; display of paintings at galleries, and completion of data entry/computer operations studies at Moorhead AVTI. He later earned certificates in software management, paralegal studies, and media relations/press secretary and received awards for his verse from the American Poetry Association, National Poetry Library, International Society of Poets, Poetry Academy, and Amherst Society.Other works by DMR1: Tales from the Sesean Galaxy, (*Star-child) poetry collection; non-fiction tome The Dead Soldiers; escapist, fantasy novel, Autism ; romantic comedy, Diary of a Bachelor Father, and the art film short, Starchild's Random Notes from Exile.