Mahi-Mahi Ralhan ’26
When New Jersey residents looked up at the sky and saw what appeared to be miniature cars, they were dismayed to discover that it was not the Weasleys’ beloved Ford Anglia, but rather mysterious drones flying above their heads.
These drones puzzled law enforcement and the FBI, who have not identified their source but claim that they do not threaten national security. According to CNN, “The Department of Homeland Security and White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that many of the reported sightings are actually ‘manned aircraft’ operating lawfully.” Experts also told CNN that the objects in the “sighting” videos they reviewed appeared to be airplanes. However, airplanes typically don’t have green and red flashing lights. Considering that the first sightings occurred just weeks before Christmas, one might wonder if airlines wanted to celebrate the holidays, but it seems more like gaslighting at its finest. It is a sad day when the government seems to think it can convince the American public that a drone is actually a plane.
While the first drones were first seen in New Jersey, they’ve migrated to other nearby parts of the country, including reports from Deleware County. The drone invasion is now a little too close for comfort, as Americans are demanding answers.
Photo courtesy of episcopalacademy.org
Just last month, President Trump promised to uncover the truth behind the drones, even assembling a committee to investigate. Interestingly, the Episcopal Academy security team has been more efficient than the FBI, as they released a report revealing that the mastermind behind this plot was none other than Computer Science Teacher Matthew Davis. This is intriguing, especially since Matthew Memmo, Chair of the Computer Science Department, runs the drone elective in the Middle School.
The news came as a surprise to many, but few saw past Mr. Davis’s friendly demeanor. Ryann Newcomb ’26, shared, “As his advisee, I totally saw this coming. It is completely in character for Mr. Davis, as he loves drones and scaring people.”
The Scholium attempted to reach out to Davis for comment, but he declined to respond. As a result, students have developed various theories to explain his actions. Given Davis’s dedication to the track team, some believe the drones were a desperate attempt to scout for recruits in New Jersey. Are we incorrect in stating that the team has recently been on a winning streak—does he know something we don’t? Memmo noted, “When I heard about the drones hovering over Newtown Square, I immediately suspected Mr. Davis. A quick check of the location revealed that the drone was hovering above a high school track and field complex, making it pretty obvious that Mr. Davis was likely the culprit.”
Another theory suggests that Davis desires to establish his name in EA history. In recent years, EA’s social media accounts have seen a surge in announcements about students, faculty, and alumni achieving remarkable accomplishments, such as Emmy and Oscar wins, Olympic medals, science awards, and teaching recognitions. With so much attention on others, it’s understandable how Davis might feel threatened by their accolades, causing him to seek an innovative strategy to make national news.
Zachary Richards, Upper School Form Dean, and Boys Varsity Track Coach alongside Davis, comments, “In all my years of coaching with Mr. Davis, one thing I know is he is always looking to gain an edge over the competition. I’m not surprised he was behind this spygate scandal. I’ll likely have to demote him to middle school track.” It seems someone was quick to draw attention away from himself, as suspicions regarding Richard’s possible involvement continue to circulate.
With this news, certainty and confusion surround the campus, and questions are still lingering. Stay tuned to learn more about the situation as it develops, and help us to make sure that Davis is held accountable for his mysterious actions and potential motives.