High School Senior Abducts Fellow Student, Illegally Assumes Their Identity, Asserting "I'm Not Yet Prepared to Complete School!"
Mary Beth Bethbeth, a senior ventriloquism major at Holy Cross, has made headlines recently for an unusual move. She is currently living as a freshman on campus, disguised as Enya O'Boombox. However, it's important to clarify that legally changing your identity to "repeat" a college freshman experience is generally not feasible or lawful.
Colleges maintain academic records tied to your legal identity or student record number, so creating a new identity would not erase prior records or allow a fresh start as a true new freshman legally. Some colleges allow "Excused Withdrawals" for extenuating circumstances but not identity changes for repeating freshman year.
At Holy Cross, students can request an affirmed name change to use a different name on student records, but this does not alter the underlying legal identity or academic progress. For instance, at Merced College, students can request an affirmed name change to appear on ID cards, class rosters, email, transcripts, and diplomas. Similarly, Georgia Gwinnett College allows students to update their preferred first name on systems and class rosters.
Mary Beth Bethbeth's plan to assume Enya's identity was inspired by the quote "identity theft is not a joke, Jim" from The Office. She broke into Brooks Hall by simply opening the front door that never closes all the way, and chose Enya's room to assume her identity. Enya, a freshman at Holy Cross, was chloroformed and dragged to the Brooks laundry room by Mary Beth Bethbeth.
This incident has raised concerns about security at Holy Cross, as it demonstrates a laxity that could potentially be exploited. The fourth floor of Brooks Hall does not lock, according to an article, which could be a point of concern for the college administration.
Meanwhile, the campus is buzzing with excitement about the upcoming events. The Catalina Wine Mixer, a popular event where students dress up, meet, hold hands, and sing, is happening this Saturday. Another notable event is the spring concert, for which Piper Guiney '28 is the author of the article. The Barden Bellas are one of the acts rumored to perform at the spring concert.
Piper Guiney '28, who is also the author of an article about navigating family during Thanksgiving, is looking forward to the approaching break. The Thanksgiving article covers topics like dealing with controversial topics like the election. Thanksgiving break is a time when students can relax and recharge before diving back into their studies.
Mary Beth Bethbeth, despite her current predicament, is planning to pursue a career in molecular biology post-graduation. She is struggling with the impending graduation and has decided to go back to freshman year.
[1] https://www.mercedcollege.edu/student-services/student-life/diversity-and-inclusion/name-change-policy/ [3] https://www.ggc.edu/student-affairs/student-resources/name-change/ [5] https://www.durhamtech.edu/student-services/registrar/name-change/
- Mary Beth Bethbeth, inspired by a quote from The Office, attempted to replicate Enya O'Boombox's freshman year at Holy Cross by assuming Enya's identity, breaking into her room, and disguising herself as Enya.
- Though some colleges allow affirmed name changes on student records, legally altering one's identity to repeat a college year is not feasible or lawful, as academic records are tied to a person's legal identity or student record number.
- As students at Holy Cross get ready for upcoming events such as the Catalina Wine Mixer and the spring concert featuring Piper Guiney '28's article, concerns about security have arisen due to a demonstrated laxity in the campus's security measures following Mary Beth Bethbeth's infiltration.
