For high school seniors, the final stretch before graduation isn’t just about exams and college decisions — it’s about Senior Assassin. This exhilarating, school-wide game blends strategy, stealth, and social connections into an unforgettable last high school experience.
Each participating senior pays a small entry fee, and the collected money becomes the prize for the winner. The game kicked off last year on Apr. 2 with each player being secretly assigned a target, another senior in the game. The goal? “Eliminate your target using a water gun, all while avoiding getting eliminated yourself. Although this year’s start date or council has not been officially set yet, plans are underway. “I have enjoyed making all the senior sendoff posts this year so hopefully I can help act as part of the assassin council,” senior Naomi Negussie said.
Players usually have a set time frame to complete their assignment, often a week per round. Once a target is eliminated, the assassin is safe from elimination until the next round. Participants who are shot or fail to eliminate their targets are eliminated from the game with no ability to be brought back in. After each round, all participants who remain receive new targets, keeping the cycle alive until only one player remains. The game can last for weeks, with tension building as the number of participants dwindles.
What makes Senior Assassin so captivating is the strategy. It’s not just about having a steady aim with a water gun — it’s about understanding people’s routines and where to be at the right time and right place. Students often plan elaborate ambushes, hiding behind cars, waiting outside restaurants, or coordinating with friends to trap targets in driveways.
Seniors have taken the game to the next level by using social media to track movements, sharing tips in group chats, and even disguising themselves to remain undetected. However, the game often includes “safe zones,” such as inside school buildings, during sports practices, or at work, ensuring that daily life can continue without constant paranoia.
While the competition can be intense, Senior Assassin is, at its core, a celebration of senior year. It brings classmates together, encouraging students who may not typically interact to form alliances or share laughs about near-miss encounters. The game sparks conversation throughout the school with every successful “elimination” documented on the shared Instagram account. Posts feature striking photos and creative captions that detail each “kill” — from the stealthy ambush to the clever ambush setups — giving followers a play-by-play of the latest moves in the game. “My brother participated in Senior Assassin last year, so it was fun watching all the videos of his friends being eliminated on Instagram as they played,” senior Max Greenberg said.
For seniors, it’s more than just a game — it’s a final bonding experience before graduation. The shared excitement, combined with the friendly competition, creates memories that last long after diplomas are handed out. “Senior Assassin for me was fun. It was funny seeing all the friends closest to me end up being the ones who betrayed me the most,” last year’s participant Justin Karis said.
Despite its fun nature, Senior Assassin isn’t without its challenges. Incidents during last year’s competition sparked concerns about safety and misunderstandings, causing a short suspension of the game. To prevent problems this year, new guidelines are being placed to ensure a safe environment: water guns must be brightly colored and respectful behavior is non-negotiable. Rules that are broken will result in immediate expulsion from the game.
Seniors have embraced the responsibility that comes with the game, ensuring that fun doesn’t cross into disruption with school. As graduation nears, the excitement of Senior Assassin reminds students to enjoy their final moments together, one playful ambush at a time.
