Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Anna Dearing
Opinion: Love on the Spectrum is good TV. Is that the problem?
Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum has been praised for something reality television rarely achieves: sincerity. Instead of dramatic eliminations, manipulative rivalries, or manufactured chaos, the Emmy-winning dating show follows autistic adults as they navigate relationships, awkward first dates, and the universal desire for love and connection in a wholly genuine way.
Lost in the Ruins
5/10 Lily Brooks-Dalton built a reputation for quietly reflective climate fiction with The Light Pirate, a story that blends an environmental collapse with intimate, character-driven storytelling. Despite similar intentions, Ruins falls short. Set in a future shaped by environmental collapse, the novel explores isolation and control within a tightly regulated society—but never fully brings those ideas together.
Girls Lacrosse Falls to St. Ignatius
The girls lacrosse team fell to the St. Ignatius Wildcats 21-2 on Wednesday evening. The Bears started off sharp, with sophomore midfielder Jane Pence winning control off the opening draw, but struggled to find a rhythm. St. Ignatius took advantage of this, jumping to a 3-0 lead within the first three minutes of the game. Despite the slow start, senior midfielder Auden Jones dominated the circle, consistently giving M-A opportunities for midfielders to gain possession.
Indivisible San Mateo Gathers to Honor ICE Related Deaths
"We're at a point where staying quiet is equivalent to being complicit in the system," community member Jason Hagler said. Dozens gathered outside the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo on Saturday, Feb. 7, to honor the 41 individuals who have died while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. These individuals have passed due to a variety of causes, including medical neglect, untreatable conditions, and gunshot wounds.
Boys Water Polo Dominates Homestead in Thrilling CCS Quarterfinal Victory
The boys water polo team defeated the Homestead Mustangs 9-8 in their game on Saturday afternoon. Starting with the first sprint, the Bears were unable to take initial possession. However, they quickly displayed their dominance with an impressive block from junior goalkeeper Michael Poirier. M-A rattled off multiple shot attempts in the first minutes, but it wasn't until 3:50 that junior Navid Riahi planted the first goal of the game.
Girls Water Polo Succumbs to Leigh in Devastating CCS Quarterfinal Loss
The girls water polo team fell to the Leigh Longhorns 12-10 in their game on Saturday afternoon. The Bears did not start the match off on their best foot, and the Longhorns took advantage of that, scoring three times in the first three minutes of the game. Despite their initial funk, senior Captain Sabine Polly got the Bears back on track with a killer goal off an assist from senior Scarlett Shenk.
You're Going to Regret This
Good, classic rom-coms have been few and far between throughout the past decade, and '90's era enthusiasts are still left starving. If you're a true rom-com purist, please don't watch Regretting You. Regretting You attempts to be heartfelt and profound, but instead leaves viewers physically sick. How can such successful actors end up in such a train wreck? If this sounds familiar, that's because it is. Hoover's debut adaptation, It Ends With Us, suffers a similar fate.
Signed and Sealed: M-A's College Commits
On September 18, senior Ella Mohr committed to play soccer at Bryn Mawr College. Her decision to commit to Bryn Mawr was based on the supportive and academic community. "I picked Bryn Mawr because I loved the atmosphere on campus and the values of the team. They are a very academic school, and it is widely understood that each player is a student-athlete, so there is a lot of support to help athletes balance their workload," Mohr said.
Girls Water Polo Dominates Aragon in Senior Night Victory
The girls water polo team overtook the Aragon Dons 14-10 in their match on Thursday night. This game marked an important event for the class of 2026 as the team honored seniors Molly Gray, Sabine Polly, Gabby Rothstein, Isabel Habibi*, Skarlett Shenk, Lily Chesler, Caroline Connaghan, and goalkeeper Brealyn Trujillo during their senior night ceremony. Along with the seniors, Gray and Polly celebrated coach Lauren Lesyna for her final season coaching girls water polo.
This is 100% Your Look, 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'
The third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Prime Video's TV adaptation of Jenny Han's series, sufficiently concluded Belly's (Lola Tung) love story and gave viewers the cringy love story they wanted. Thanks to Han acting as one of three head show runners, the show accurately depicts the final book of the series, We'll Always Have Summer. It even extended past the book's conclusion, giving readers three extra episodes of uncharted territory.
Girls Water Polo Mauls Sequoia in Speedy Victory
The girls water polo team overtook the Sequoia Ravens 13-3 in their match on Wednesday evening. Right off the bat, the energy on the pool deck was high as the girls confidently dove into the game. "We went in with confidence and wanted to beat them. We just had a good attitude," senior goalkeeper Brealyn Trujillo said. M-A won the initial sprint, and within the first 15 seconds, senior Isabel Habibi* buried the first goal into the opposing cage.
Boys Water Polo Triumphs Over the Sequoia Ravens
The boys water polo team defeated the Sequoia Ravens 10-8 in their game on Wednesday evening. M-A started strong by winning the sprint, but struggled to sink any of their initial goal attempts. Even so, the Bears were able to regain possession, and junior Navid Riahi capitalized on this by scoring their first goal just three minutes into the game.
Girls Water Polo Overpowered by Paly
The girls water polo team fell to the Paly Vikings 17-3 in their match on Thursday evening. The Bears had a slow start as they regained their sea legs in their second match of the season. Paly quickly asserted dominance by getting possession of the ball after the starting sprint and scored two goals within the first minute. Movement from the Bears was consistent, but it wasn't enough to defend against the Vikings impressive offense.
Engineering Success: A Year with Team 766
Team 766, M-A's robotics team, has had a phenomenal year spearheading new projects and winning various accolades at competitions. The team competes in the annual FIRST Robotics Competition each year, where they construct a robot that is able to perform a task specific to that year in a race against another team's robot. Each team is responsible for building, programming, and advertising their own robot.
'Thunderbolts*' Expertly Tackles the Dark Realities of Depression
Marvel has experienced a decline in viewership and box office success since the retirement of the original six Avengers as main protagonists, but Thunderbolts* has created excitement around phase five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story follows Natasha Romanoff's (Scarlett Johansson) sister, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), as CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) sends her on a mission to kill a potential thief within de Fontaine's secret vault.
Three Takeaways from Wednesday's Board Meeting
The District Board of Trustees met for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 7. The Board recognized bilingual resource teachers and newly reclassified students. They also received a wellness update and a presentation from counselors involved in a program led by Hatching Results consulting. Recognition of Bilingual Resource Teachers and Newly Reclassified Students Superintendent Crystal Leach recognized the District's bilingual resource teachers and their support for non-native English speakers.
The fifth and final season of Netflix's You attempts to bring closure for viewers and justice for Joe Goldberg's (Penn Badgley) victims. With original showrunner Sera Gamble stepping away from the series, writers and producers Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo took over as co-showrunners, steering the story back to its roots in New York City. The season is sharp and suspenseful, keeping viewers hooked for the end of Joe Goldberg's story.
Boys Volleyball Overwhelmed by Burlingame in Intense Match
The boys volleyball team lost in four sets to the Burlingame Panthers: 25-17, 21-25, 22-25, and 14-25, on Wednesday night. The Bears started the game strong as junior outside hitter Ben Warner* got the first point of the night with a spike. Senior setter Peter Chriss followed with an influential ace, setting the tone early in set one. After an intense rally, the Bears took the lead, dominating the net and playing impressive defense.
What Students Did Over Spring Break
Last week, M-A students spent time away from campus for stay-cations, vacations, and everything in between. Many students stayed home over break for some much-needed rest and relaxation amidst a stressful second semester. "I hung out with my friend over break, and we stayed home and rested. We also pierced our ears, which was fun," senior Mayra Arias said. Senior Sam Goldman also stayed close to home, making sure to make time to hang out with friends.
Girls Water Polo Senior Night Continues the Successful Home Game Streak
The girls water polo team celebrated their senior night for their last home game of league play, defeating the Carlmont Scots 15-5 on Wednesday night. The Scots barely won the sprint at the start of the game, but the Bears were still able to take control as junior Scarlett Shenk threw a skip shot within the first minute. Senior goalkeeper Lexi Nelson prevented any advances from Carlmont, consistently being halfway out of the water to save repetitive top right corner shots.
Girls Water Polo Humbles Aragon Dons
The girls water polo overwhelmed the Aragon Dons 15-3 in a roaring match on Tuesday evening. Sophomore Harper Williams barely lost the sprint, but the Bears quickly turned around with junior Scarlett Shenk sinking the first goal of the night for the Bears. With communication ringing out between players, senior Emily Freitas was able to sneak the ball past the Dons’ goalkeeper and into the net, elevating the Bears’ lead to 2-0.
Boys Water Polo Sweeps Aragon Dons
The boys water polo destroyed the Aragon Dons 27-2 in a blazing match Tuesday afternoon. The Bears gracefully dove into the game despite the scorching 100 degree heat. Pulling ahead quickly, junior Evan ten Vaanholt scored the first goal of the game just 28 seconds into the first quarter. “We knew how the game was going to end even before it started,” senior captain Casey Watkins said.
The Sarasota Ballet closes out its season at the Sarasota Opera House
Great Masters of Dance, the final program of The Sarasota Ballet’s 2017-2018 season, was a tribute to three incredible choreographers and a bittersweet goodbye for two amazing dancers. Kristianne Kleine and Logan Learned, who have graced the Sarasota stage for eight and 10 years, respectively, performed for the last time this past weekend. The program was accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra under the direction of guest conductor Barry Wordsworth.
Dreams come true with Sarasota Ballet's 'Dreams of Nature'
When Iain Webb became director of the Sarasota Ballet more than 10 years ago, he began mentioning his desire to bring Sir Frederick Ashton’s “The Dream” into the company’s repertoire. Company dancers, staff and patrons waited with anticipation year after year in hopes that Webb would announce the ballet as part of the upcoming season. The time has finally arrived. Ashton’s “The Dream,” performed this past weekend at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, certainly did not disappoint.
Sarasota Ballet takes on a different style in ‘Moving Identities’
The Sarasota Ballet has won a reputation of performing works of the most influential and important ballet choreographers. Under the directorship of Iain Webb, the company dancers have been praised for their artistic excellence and attention to choreographic detail. Earlier this season the company premiered “Theme and Variations,” one of the most admired ballets created by George Balanchine.
Circus Nutcracker is a spectacular addition to the holiday season
The Sarasota Holiday Parade, enormous gingerbread creations at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, and an endless display of twinkling lights at University Town Center are all in full swing. The holidays are indeed upon us in Sarasota. Not yet an annual tradition, but returning this year was the Sarasota Ballet’s “John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker” this past weekend at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
'The Secret Garden' brings the children's story to life
Will Tuckett’s “The Secret Garden” delights all the senses with dance, poetry, music and puppetry in this classic piece that the Sarasota Ballet reprised after its original commissioning three years ago. Much like “The Nutcracker,” this piece is one that brings joy to all ages and could be performed year after year as a Sarasota staple. Tuckett’s production, set to music by Jeremy Holland-Smith, brings Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s novel to life.
‘A Tribute to Ashton’ is a shining moment for ballet
The Sarasota Ballet reached a new level of artistry and excellence with its recent production of “A Tribute to Ashton,” featuring the U.S. premiere of Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Scènes de ballet,” as well as “The Two Pigeons.” The reprisal of the two-act romantic ballet, “The Two Pigeons,” was a nod to director Ian Webb’s 10th season with the company, since it was the first Ashton masterpiece Webb brought into the ballet’s repertoire.
Sarasota Ballet performs 'Ashton, Graziano and Tuckett'
It’s not often you witness perfection in a live performance, but the Sarasota Ballet did just that with “Ashton, Graziano and Tuckett.” Each of the pieces on the program — Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Valses nobles et sentimentales,” Ricardo Graziano’s “Before Night Falls” and Will Tuckett’s “Changing Light” — had all been performed before, and many of the original casts danced in the Jan. 27 performance at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
Ballet review: Balanchine's 'Jewels'
The Sarasota Ballet brought sensational sparkle to the holiday season this weekend with George Balanchine’s full-length choreographic masterpiece, “Jewels.” The performances at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center were accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra and led by American Ballet Theatre Conductor Ormsby Wilkins. The jewels — “Emeralds,” “Rubies” and “Diamonds” — were first performed at New York City Ballet in 1967.
Sarasota Ballet performed George Balanchine's "Apollo," Sir Frederick Ashton's "Sinfonietta" and Antony Tudor's "Gala Performance"
Sure, the Sarasota Ballet 2016-2017 season began at the end of October, with its performance of Walsh, Tudor, Graziano and Layton at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. But there’s something to say about a show on the larger stage at the Sarasota Opera House performed to the live music of the Sarasota Orchestra: It just seems more significant.
Ballet celebrates 10 years of Iain Webb
Dominic Walsh’s “Wolfgang for Webb,” Antony Tudor’s “Continuo,” Ricardo Graziano’s “Sonata in Four Movements” and Joe Layton’s “The Grand Tour” were on the bill for the opening performance of the Sarasota Ballet’s 2016-2017 season. The show was a mixture of key reprisals and new premieres celebrating the 10th season with Iain Webb as director.
Dance review: Final show features Wheeldon & Ashton
Closing out the 25th anniversary season, Sarasota Ballet’s Director Iain Webb proved once again a master of programming, pairing three quite different yet complementary ballets in the final performances at the Sarasota Opera House. The show included Christopher Wheeldon’s lyrical and lovely “The American,” and Sir Frederick Ashton’s quirky “A Wedding Bouquet” and the jazzy “Jazz Calendar,” which were all performed to live music by the Sarasota Orchestra conducted by Ormsby Williams.
Dance review: Patriotic pieces performed with passion
Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Engima Variations” and George Balanchine’s “Stars and Stripes” could not be more different ballets, yet the commonality between the two lies within the patriotism fueled through the pieces. “Enigma Variations” is very English with its 19th century sets and costumes and music by one of England’s most celebrated classic composers, Edward Elgar.
Sarasota Ballet shines with triple-bill production
Completing Balanchine’s three-part “Jewels” ballet that includes “Diamonds” and “Rubies”, the Sarasota Ballet added “Emeralds” to its repertoire. From the moment the curtain rises the dancers glittered in emerald green tutus for the girls and ornate green tunics for the men. Set to music by Gabriel Fauré, “Emeralds” is an elegant, rich and pretty ballet with lots of pas de bourrée couru for the leading females and corps de ballet.
Ballet review: 'John Ringling's Circus Nutcracker'
The Nutcracker always makes the festive holiday season seem complete. But the Sarasota Ballet’s rendition, “John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker,” makes Sarasota’s holiday season complete. Based loosely on the story of John and Mable Ringling and the iconic circus show they created, Sarasotans can feel connected to this production, choreographed by Matthew Hart.
Dance review: Sarasota Ballet performs MacMillan, Wright and Ashton
Three new pieces were added to Sarasota Ballet’s repertoire this past weekend when the ballet performed the works of three great knights — Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s “Concerto,” Sir Peter Wright’s “Summertide” and Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Marguerite and Armand.” The performances at the Sarasota Opera House were accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra led by American Ballet Theatre Conductor Ormsby Wilkins.
Diversity in Dance
To kick-off the 25th anniversary season, Director Ian Webb brought back one of the audience’s favorite programs — “Theatre of Dreams,” which features works created by the Sarasota Ballet’s own dancers. Yet this time, Webb selected “The Best of Theatre of Dreams,” which was a representation of a diverse selection of different choreographic styles and pieces.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Anna
Contact Anna, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack