As the sun beats down on a boiling afternoon, the grass sways softly in the breeze. All is calm until a bright pink and blue water gun peeks out from behind a rusty mailbox, spraying ice cold water across the scorching tar pavement onto a now-soaked arm as a puffed up pool vest lies on the ground, dry and untouched.
This commotion, known as Senior Assassin, is a longstanding high school tradition for seniors across the country. As they count down the days to graduation, participating in the game is a unique way to bond with the senior class and create lasting memories. The basic rules of the game are to eliminate as many targets as you can with a water gun while avoiding getting sprayed to stay alive. Students wear pool floaties or goggles for immunity to stay safe, and no one is permitted to eliminate students on school grounds or events. Additionally, video proof must be required to confirm eliminations and will be posted to the Senior Assassin Instagram page.
This year, seniors paid an entrance fee of $5 to participate in the game. The sum of the money goes towards the prize for the ultimate winner. As the rounds continue and more eliminations happen, the stakes get higher. The game starts with over 200 students, being run by students through an app called Splash to keep track of players.
Anna Glassman (’26) received a special surprise bounty and was eliminated from the game soon after, during the first round. In Senior Assassin, bounties are occasionally placed on a certain player’s back, rewarding previously eliminated players to get back in the game if they successfully take out the bounty target.
“I understand why they are fun because someone who was out could get back in the game by eliminating a bounty,” Glassman said, “But with the whole school going for you, there’s not much of a chance to stay in.”
Although the game is meant to be fun and entertaining, many students reported feeling more paranoid and even changing their routines to avoid getting caught, such as leaving the house after eight in the morning once immunity for the day has started. For some, the thrilling feeling of paranoia is what makes the game so exciting, with others not appreciating the anxious fixation it causes.
“I definitely felt more paranoia because of the targets, but it’s very thrilling to be on edge all the time,” Spencer Kaltenmark (‘26) said.
While most of the rules are favorable, including not being able to eliminate targets during sports practices or at work, some rules were changed in response to criticism from students. Previously, students leaving town were supposed to be removed from the game. However, students argued the rule was unfair due to obligations concerning sports and college visits, especially as the end of the year approaches. The rule was changed to a penalty of 24 hours without protection from a floaty upon returning, rather than immediate elimination.
“A lot of people have to travel for sports and other commitments, so the new rule is more fair and supported,” Glassman said.
Senior Assassin is recognized as an entertaining, competitive tradition that fosters bonding among students. With over 200 students playing, the suspense of your assassin’s identity adds a layer of excitement to the game, culminating to the pinnacle of students’ high school experience. The primary goal of Senior Assassin involvement is to create stronger bonds with classmates and enhance camaraderie throughout the senior class as graduation approaches.
As the game progresses, the winning title is narrowing down, but anything could happen. Senior Assassin is more than just a game, it’s a tradition full of laughter and bonding. As students strategize, evade and spray targets, they build lasting relationships with everyone involved. It transforms the last months of school into an unforgettable memory with summer just around the corner.
“It’s a really cool and memorable experience to share with everyone,” Glassman said.
