Senior Assassin

By Jasper Shelmerdine '26

On April 16th, senior assassin kicked off for the class of 2026 as a way to bring everyone together through a light-hearted game involving goggles and water launchers. Organized by senators Jordan Ryan ‘26 and Lauren Hubbs ‘26, this high-pressure activity has turned everyday routines into calculated risks in the final stretch before graduation. 

At its core, the premise is that each senior is assigned a target, and they must eliminate their target by squirting them with water and capturing it all on video. Once successful, they inherit their target’s target until only one person remains, or graduation crowns the player with the most kills. 

Beneath this structure, however, is an intricate set of conditions. According to Jordan and Lauren, there are four crucial rules to abide by. First, guns must not resemble a real firearm. Second, if a target is wearing the provided goggles anywhere on their face, they cannot be eliminated. Third, the elimination must be reported to Jordan or Lauren within two hours. And fourth, if any non-participants get wet during the elimination, the elimination doesn’t count.  

To keep the game from becoming chaotic, strict boundaries have been established. Per Dean of Students Erin Hansen, indoor spaces are completely off limits, and sports practices and events are also protected. She added that a safety violation would be “any incident involving students running across busy roads, climbing onto roofs, etc.” 

Ms. Hansen worked to coordinate the game's logistics with senior leadership and also emphasized, “Participation in Senior Assassins is a privilege, not a right,” as this is the first year Cate has been part of this tradition, which many local high schools participate in. She also made it clear that “Student Services reserves the right to end the game.” 

Ramya Bangaru ‘26, an active participant who was recently eliminated, described how quickly a moment can turn into an opportunity. What began as a casual interaction with Philip Choi ‘26 escalated into a successful elimination within hours. “I didn’t really think about it at all,” she explained. “I saw him in the morning, and that’s what sparked the idea.” Encouraged by friends, she decided to catch him right after his Servons Speech. 

When asked if she felt any remorse after soaking Philip before the photos, she laughed it off. “Not at all,” she said. “I thought it was really funny,” despite the backlash she faced. “His friends were really mad at me,” she explained. With multiple eliminations under her belt, she admitted, “I am so locked in.” 

For some, the experience has fostered some unexpected connections. Jordan shared, “It’s bringing people together through a shared goal. You end up talking to people you normally wouldn’t.” 

The logistics behind the game also speak for its scale. With just around 70 participants, organizers purchased the water launchers and goggles in bulk, using the activities budget, ensuring everyone could play under the same conditions, even though many seniors ended up ordering their own equipment. 

Whether this game ends in victory or assassination, seniors will walk away with a story to tell long after they graduate. The sense of unity, even amidst water-filled tension, is something that underclassmen may take away from observing the efforts of the class of 2026.