Sarah Dairiki

On the first day of my junior year I received my schedule, ecstatic to see my classes for my junior year of high school. I was already aware that I was taking journalism, but for M-A Bear News, not The MArk. When I saw that I was placed in The MArk I became depressed, and I went to that class with a dull expression, knowing it would be a long year. But, little did I know that taking journalism for The MArk would transform me into the writer I am today. Taking The MArk was probably one of the best things I have ever done. Because we make a magazine we have more reasonable deadlines, allowing us to have more flexibility to interview, write, edit, and play around with our layouts. I can honestly say from my freshman and sophomore years I never bothered to glance at the magazine produced by our own students, but now that I am a part of the MArk I look forward to every issue. The atmosphere of the class is great and all the students are so open to sharing ideas and messing around with ea...

My journalism class at school had us write features about someone in our class and I wrote mine about my friend Katie Webb, and I wanted to share it with you guys, as this was the first article I ever wrote for my school, and it inspired me to develop a love for journalism. Katie Webb, an eleventh grader at MA, has taken her dreams to the next level, determined to succeed in her near future. Webb began the journey of her dreams in the fall of 2007. As a ten year old who had just started fifth grade, she was continuing to become aware of her surroundings as she experienced and learned about the joys of life while learning important life lessons. Soccer was one of these experiences. “After I found out my parents had signed me up to play for and represent a soccer team, I became extremely nervous,” Webb explains. “I was not exactly sure if I wanted to play or not, because I had never been part of a soccer team before, let alone had any experience in this type of sport.” ...

Horseback riding has introduced me to some of my closest friends, ones who I can connect with on a completely different level than the friends I have at school. They are always there to support me, always being there to experience memorable moments firsthand, and tragic moments that come along with the sport. Along with my friends horses have always been my rock; they will always be willing to accept a hug or kiss on their face when I am stressed and need to get away from my problems, while giving a playful nudge or lick on the cheek as their way of saying "Thank you." Because of this, I wanted to share with you all a montage of pictures that I have of my entire eight years of my horseback riding career. My experience with horses and people have helped shape me, turning me into a completely different person and equestrian than I was in the past.

A healthy recipe that is both quick and easy to make. Great food item to bake when craving a tasty but not too sugary treat! Tastes like chocolate with a hint of pumpkin. Ingredients: Cooking spray 1 egg 2/3 cup white sugar 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup applesauce 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups flour 1 (1 oz) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 1 (6 oz) package semisweet chocolate chips Procedure: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a muffin tray place the muffin paper liners in the tray.  In a medium bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, egg, sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract together. In a large bowl mix the flour, pudding mix, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda together. Add about half of the chocolate chips int the mixture and stir.  Pour the pumpkin mixture into the four mixture and stir until combined. Make sure to stir with a SPO...

This week I wanted to share with you all my passions and hobbies, such as my guilty pleasure(s), comfort foods, favorite movies, etc. So, here is my list of things that make my day better. Passions That I Have Favorite season: Summer Favorite sport: Horseback riding Favorite place to visit: London or Hawaii Favorite holiday: Christmas Favorite animal: horses Comfort foods: candy, muffins Guilty pleasure(s): TV, muffins  Favorite food: sushi Favorite movie: The Great Gatsby Favorite day of the week: Friday (TGIF) New interest: Photography Favorite social media websites: Instagram, Facebook Dream place to live: LA Favorite TV show(s): Game of Thrones, Modern Family

Everyone's Got This Wrong The movie The Great Gatsby  was released into theaters all across the country on May 10, 2013. Gatsby was one of the most popular and most watched movies of the summer, attracting people of all ages to the theater due to its wide appeal to different types of audiences.  But along with the rave about Gatsby came the criticism. People who viewed the movie stated that Gatsby was a complete and utter misconception of the 1920's, and that everything was way too extravagant and cheesy, whether it was from the parties that Gatsby threw to the lust that Gatsby feels for Daisy and the awkwardness of their relationship.  I recently saw the movie with my father a few weeks ago during winter break, and let me say, it was by far the best movie I have ever seen. Gatsby immediately worked its way up to my top movies list, which includes Catching Fire, We're the Millers, 21 Jump Street, Finding Nemo, etc. I had read the book the summer of 2012, an...

Me playing at a cafe When I was three years old, my parents started taking me to classical guitar lessons, as they wanted me to have a musical influence in my life. Now you can probably imagine how cute a little toddler would be playing a small guitar; well, that was me. I started off with learning Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and other more common songs, slowly inching my way towards becoming a musician in my future. But at the age of three, I never knew how music would become a big part of my life. Now, 13 years later, I have gone from the little three year old who could barely pluck a string, to a guitarist who has performed in clinics, recitals, and has even been the opening act for one of the biggest classical guitarists of our generation. Guitar is now a passion of mine, and although I am shy in person, my emotion and power is exposed through my playing of the instrument. When I start to play the guitar I become obsessed, practicing until my fingers cramp and my eyes...

Sour Cream Coffee Cake After being the recipient of such delicious coffee cake I finally encouraged myself to attempt to bake the sweet on my own. At first I was skeptical, but once the oven dinged and I placed the freshly baked coffee cake on the counter top to cool, I knew I had succeeded. Upon placing the first bite into my mouth flavors burst everywhere, with the dough being so fluffy and moist, unlike the cake-like texture that some coffee cakes tend to have.  This coffee cake is so delicious, so I wanted to share the recipe with all of you too. Ingredients: 2/3 cup chopped pecans 2 tbsp brown sugar 1-1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 cup (8oz) sour cream Procedure: In a small bowl combine the pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the softened butter and white sugar together...

"Always take a risk even if you are unsure of it; whether you fail or succeed, the outcome will always assure you that you have made the right choice." - Robin Elsineitti Tilly and I walking before lesson From the minute I was born I had a deep passion for animals, especially horses. Their grace, beauty, and strength drew me into their world, and as I waded deeper and deeper, I found that there was no turning back. I started taking horseback riding lessons when I was 8 years old at a riding facility in Portola Valley called Spring Down Equestrian Center. But little did I know that Spring Down would change my life forever. Now, 8 years later, I am competing in local competitions whenever possible, while training in jumping in order to compete in the hunter/equitation divisions. Spring Down has taken me from the most beginner rider with little horse experience to one who has a profound love for all horses, and wants to spend every day at the barn. Spring Down ha...