**Update, 3:48 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010:

Vice principal of academics Gary Scholl returned to his administrative office after advisory this morning to a big surprise.

Scholl, the lead suspect in yesterday’s incident that left social studies teacher Jake Hollin’s Christmas tree in the courtyard, found the nearly six foot tall tree from Hollin’s classroom standing on his desk.

“That tree is like an albatross around my neck,” Scholl said, who claims the culprit is Hollin. However, Hollin did not confess, saying Scholl placed the tree on his desk by himself.

“Mr. Scholl is mocking [the Mighty Ducks] that he can take the tree at any time and put it on his desk,” Hollin said. “At this point, he’s showing off.”

Mighty Ducks member senior Pat St. Clair had a different story, however. “The courtyard was the last straw. We put the tree on the desk,” St. Clair said.

According to an anonymous Mighty Ducks member, an alliance was made this morning with social studies teacher Brian Powell’s advisory, the Butterfly Ninjas.

As of 2:40 today, the tree was missing.

Pictured to the right is the Christmas tree on Scholl’s desk. (Photo by Taylor Schafer)

Check back for more updates as the Patriot follows the story. Read below or click here to read previous coverage of the Christmas tree kidnappings.

The infamous Christmas tree from room 306 was on the move once again this morning. Though it was placed in social studies teacher Brian Powell’s room and the third floor teacher’s bathroom last week, the tree found a spot in the courtyard this time.

According to Powell, he spotted the tree from his window during mod two in the center of the courtyard next to the fountain. However, sometime between mod two and mod three, it was moved to being up against the window of the courtyard facing the gym.

Though the culprit(s) has not been found, vice principal of academics and social studies teacher Gary Scholl said that he is “shocked that anyone would be so bold to steal that tree in broad daylight.”

Scholl did not comment when asked if he was involved in the incident. “I plead the fifth,” Scholl said.

Members of Scholl’s advisory also refused to comment.

Owner of the tree and social studies teacher Jake Hollin retrieved the tree mod six and carried it back to his room.

“Some people just don’t know when to stop,” Hollin said. “But what I’m beginning to think is that the tree wanted to go back to nature because it missed the other trees. My only guess is that whoever did it was concerned for the tree’s health and wanted it to be with other trees.”

Hollin refused to discuss the incident anymore after saying, “Revenge is sweet. Just remember that.”

Additional reporting by Jenny Hottle.