Lost Colony of Roanoke by Umar Malek

 In August 1587, approximately 115 English people landed on Roanoke Island off the coast of present-day North Carolina to try to establish England’s first permanent colony in the New World. This group was going to be the first successful attempt of an English colony in the New World. The settlers were men, women, and children, including Virginia Dare, the first English child to be born in North America. 

After settling in, the colony’s governor, John White, decided to return to England later during the same year to obtain supplies. However, White’s return plans were put on hold after an unforeseen obstacle, war with Spain, emerged. England was preparing against the mighty Spanish Armada, and therefore, all available ships were commandeered to serve in the war. Therefore, White could not return to Roanoke for nearly three years. 

When White finally sailed back in August 1590, he found something no one expected, the entire settlement was deserted. There were no bodies, no battle or struggle, and no written explanation. The lone survivor of this mystery was a single clue in the form of the word “CROATOAN” carved into one of the wooden posts of the colony’s barrier. 

The word Croatoan was significant in that it was the name of a nearby island, as well as the name of a Native American tribe that inhabited the island. Some believed this meant that the colonists had gone to live with that tribe. White, however, found no trace of the settlers when he later returned to Croatoan Island, which was later renamed Hatteras Island. 

Over the centuries, historians and archaeologists have come up with several theories explaining the disappearance. Other theories propose that the colonists were killed or taken by the local Native Americans. Other theories hold that the colonists had tried to build a ship to get back to England and were lost at sea. It is also possible that they moved further inland and assimilated with the Native American population. None of the theories measures up to the clues left behind, and there is no solid conclusion to be drawn from the evidence. 

Starting in the early 2000s, researchers began using a range of modern techniques, including DNA analysis, to try to uncover definitive evidence of what transpired with those who stayed at Roanoke. That scientists' examination of some families local to tribes in the region, or whose ancestors had been the colonists of Roanoke, did not give unambiguous evidence. 

Although the fate of the Lost Colony remains unsolved, the mystery has provided important lessons for later English colonization attempts. Just 17 years after the disappearance at Roanoke, settlers successfully established Jamestown nearby. 

“What Happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke?” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 

https://www.history.com/articles/what-happened-to-the-lost-colony-of-roanoke. Accessed 

28 Feb. 2026.

Why I Recommend Watching The Film The Crucible Kavin Sivakumar

 Why I Recommend Watching The Film The Crucible

Kavin Sivakumar

The Crucible is a play made by Arthur Miller that shows how intense and emotional Salem Witch Trials was. The story is filled with dramatic moments and important themes that are seen throughout the film. The play helps you understand the dialogue and themes while watching the movie helps show the fear and emotions from the characters. Seeing the characters facial expressions, hearing their voices, and reactions help better understand the characters motives. 

One of the reasons that I would recommend watching this film is because of the actors' performances. I think the actors do a good job on showing the fear and pressure that the characters felt when the witchcraft accusations spread in the town. For example, the way the actors move and their facial expression can give us a better understanding of how they were during the trials. I also think that they do a good job on showing the complicated relationship between the characters. For instance, there is one scene where John and Elizabeth proctor are in the same room, but Elizabeth is standing far away from him showing that Elizabeth doesn’t fully trust him. To sum up, the actors' performance can help us get a better understanding of the characters and the overall plot of the play. 

Another reason I recommend the film The Crucible is because it can help show the historical setting of the play. I believe the costumes, scenery, and atmosphere shows us how life was like during the Salem Witch Trials. Instead of just telling us the rules and the beliefs of the town the film shows us how tense the environment was. For example, the clothes that the characters wear show that women were expected to work in the house because they wear longer dresses and tie up their hair while the men work outside because they wear clothes that are easy to move in. Overall, the setting of the movie helps us get a better understanding of the time period of the Salem Witch Trials and why some of the characters made the choices that they made. 

The movie also highlights important themes that were in the play such as peer pressure, fear, reputation, and honesty. Watching the story play out on the screen makes the themes look more realistic. I believe watching the film helps us see how quickly lies and rumors can destroy lives, which is something that can happen in the real world. In general, the film helps bring themes out to the real world and helps show how it can affect people today.

In conclusion, the film The Crucible is a great movie to watch if you plan to or read the play version of The Crucible.  The themes, settings, and actors' performances help us get a better understanding of the plot and relationship between the characters. It also helps us see the motive of the characters. All of these factors are what make The Crucible such a great film to watch.

A Land Far Away By: Sachi Dixit

 A Land Far Away

By: Sachi Dixit

There’s a place where the sky is violet at night

and the stars don’t just shine,

they whisper.

Floating islands drift like slow thoughts,

held up by nothing anyone can explain.

Waterfalls spill upward

into glowing moons.

The trees are made of glass leaves

that sing when the wind passes through.

Dragons sleep curled around mountains,

their scales glowing like embers in the dark.

Rivers don’t flow with water,

they flow with light.

If you step inside,

your reflection shows you’re future self

Castles rise from silver cliffs,

built from stone that remembers every story.

And the air tastes like frost and lightning,

like something about to happen.

In that world,

magic isn’t rare.

It’s everywhere,

in the ground, in the sky, in your hands

But are you bold enough to grasp it?

Why Prison Break Is One of the Best Shows Ever Made By: Sachi Dixit

 Why Prison Break Is One of the Best Shows Ever Made

By: Sachi Dixit

Prison Break is one of the best shows ever made because of its unique and

intense storyline. The show is about Michael Scofield, a smart engineer who purposely

gets himself sent to prison to break out his brother, Lincoln Burrows, who was

wrongfully accused of murder. Michael plans everything carefully and even tattoos the

prison blueprints on his body to help him escape. But the show is not just about

escaping prison. It also focuses on proving Lincoln’s innocence and uncovering a bigger

conspiracy behind the case.

What makes the show so good is how detailed and strategic the escape plan is.

Every episode shows another step of Michael’s plan, and there are always problems that

make things more complicated. Just when it feels like everything is going right,

something unexpected happens. The suspense keeps viewers hooked because they

always want to find out what will happen next.

Another reason the show stands out is the character development. All the

characters each have their own backstories, struggles, and motivations. Some characters

who seem like villains at first become important allies. The relationship between Michael

and Lincoln is also very powerful. Their loyalty to each other adds emotion to the story

and makes the risks feel more real.

Overall, Prison Break is one of the best shows because it combines intelligence,

suspense, emotion, and action in a balanced way. The plot is creative, the pacing is

strong, and the twists keep the audience interested. It’s the kind of show that makes you

want to watch “just one more episode” every time.

The Dream Where I’m in Focus By: Sachi Dixit

 The Dream Where I’m in Focus By: Sachi Dixit 

Last night, 

I was the main character. 

Not blurry. 

Not standing in the background 

while everyone else spoke louder. 

The sky looked painted, 

as if someone cared enough 

to mix the colors slowly. 

Lavender clouds. 

Gold at the edges. 

The streets were empty 

but not lonely 

like they belonged to me. 

The air felt light, 

easy to breathe. 

My steps were quiet 

but sure, 

like I knew where I was going 

even if I didn’t. 

Nothing rushed me. 

Nothing needed explaining. 

It was just simple 

walking under a sky 

that looked made on purpose, 

in a world that felt calm 

and wide 

and somehow 

exactly the right size for me.

Before the World Wakes By: Sachi Dixit

Before the World Wakes By: Sachi Dixit 

I wake before the house remembers how to move,

before doors open 

before dishes clink 

before anyone calls my name. 

The air is already warm, 

slipping through the window impatiently

Summer doesn’t rush 

It just settles. 

The floorboards are cool under my feet and everything is in slow motion 

like the world hit the do-not-disturb button just for me 

Outside, the light is golden but gentle, stretching across the grass 

touching rooftops softly 

like it doesn’t want to wake them yet. 

Birds softly practicing their harmonies A car passes somewhere far away. 

But inside this moment, nothing is loud 

It’s not a big happiness, 

not fireworks, 

not laughter filling rooms 

It’s the kind that lives in small spaces, 

in quiet mornings, 

in the space between yesterday and today.

The Mystery of D.B. Cooper by Umar Malek

 The Mystery of D.B. Cooper 

The man who claimed the name D. B. Cooper showed a calm and polite demeanor while wearing a business suit. He gave a flight attendant a note that stated that he possessed a bomb that he kept inside his briefcase. He demanded $200,000 and four parachutes. The authorities took his threat seriously. The plane had landed in Seattle, and all the passengers were released, and Cooper got his money and parachutes. 

The case developed into a major unsolved mystery case, which became one of the most famous mystery cases throughout American history. The pilots received new instructions from Cooper to fly the plane at low altitudes while heading toward Mexico with open rear stairs. He jumped out of the plane and parachuted into the dark, rainy night, which covered the Pacific Northwest forests. He disappeared without leaving any trace of his existence. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initially investigated the case, which later became known as NORJAK (Northwest Hijacking). Agents searched the suspected landing area, interviewed witnesses, and examined physical evidence that had been left behind on the plane, including Cooper’s black tie and tie clip. His true identity was not confirmed despite decades of work and thousands of leads. A young boy discovered almost $6000 of the stolen money, which had been hidden near the Columbia River in Washington State in 1980. The serial numbers matched the ransom bill, which showed that some of the money had been found there. No other definite proof of the case ever appeared. 

Over time, various theories have emerged. Cooper died during his jump because of bad weather and difficult ground conditions, and his total ignorance of skydiving made everything impossible for him to handle. Others believe he possessed advanced skills, which he utilized to devise a well-planned escape route. Many suspects have been named, but none have been confirmed to be Cooper. In 2016, after 45 years of investigations, the FBI formally suspended active investigations into the case, although the mystery was left open should new evidence be revealed. 

The D.B. Cooper hijacking was unique because of its boldness, careful planning, and inhumanity. Nobody was harmed in the process, and the hijacker mysteriously vanished. Over half a century later, the question continues to be asked: Who was D.B. Cooper, and did he live to tell the tale? The case holds a special place as the only skyjacking adventure that was never solved in United States history. 

“D.B. Cooper Hijacking | Federal Bureau of Investigation.” Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2022, www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/db-cooper-hijacking.