The 1999 film Never Been Kissed followed the journey of Josie Geller, a wannabe investigative journalist played by Drew Barrymore. In the film, Josie went undercover as a student at her former high school to observe how teenagers behave. Josie wound up falling for a teacher, and the pair ended up having a romantic relationship. Even almost 30 years ago, the film had an ick factor. In 2026, 28-year-old Kacy Claassen allegedly enrolled in a high school in New York City, trying to fool everyone. Her plan almost worked until administrators found her Facebook page. Now, she’s facing charges.
Claassen reportedly enrolled with a fake name and birth date.
According to court documents obtained by WABC, Claassen enrolled at Westchester Square Academy on April 16 using a false name and a birth date of March 8, 2010. Claassen reportedly told administrators she’d moved from Ohio to New York when she enrolled at the school in The Bronx. Gothamist reported that Claassen used the name Shamara Rashad and quickly became the talk of the school.
Claassen apparently didn’t just blend in with other students.
Some immediately noticed that Claassen looked like an “old lady.”
First-year student Jamie Demmitt, 14, told Gothamist the entire situation really bothered her. “I was literally, like, terrified,” Demmitt said. “I don’t feel safe anymore.”
She added that Claassen used resources meant for real students during her brief stint at the school.
“She would stay every day after school and every day before school. And she would take time from other kids … which wasn’t right, because I actually needed help … and she would take my time,” Demmitt explained.
Others thought Claassen did her best to act like a high school student.
“I saw her in the back of the class, doing her work,” sophomore Sebastian Hernandez recalled. “She just acted like a student. She was asking the teachers questions. Like everybody.”
But Hernandez no longer feels comfortable at school. “It made me feel like our school’s not safe and more things can happen,” he told Gothamist.
Claassen lasted nearly two weeks in school.
According to WABC, her ruse ultimately ended on April 27, when a school principal confronted her about her true identity. She allegedly lied at first, claiming she was 16. The principal then showed the woman her own Facebook page, and she apparently admitted she had lied. Claassen claimed a friend pressured her to receive more public assistance, per court documents. She now faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal impersonation.
The incident remains under investigation.
A New York City Schools representative shared a statement with WABC regarding the situation.
“Enrollment fraud is a serious crime that fundamentally undermines New York City Public School values. The NYPD is actively investigating these allegations and will pursue all appropriate legal action against those responsible,” the statement reads. “We are providing all necessary and suitable support to the school community.”
It’s not clear why Claassen would think this is a good idea, but her Facebook page notes she’s a proud mom and shows photos of her with a little girl. One of the biggest lessons we can teach our kids is the importance of telling the truth and having integrity. If Claassen really did this, she is lacking in both departments.
