Senior Assassin is a tag-like game between high school seniors competing to “assassinate” their opponents with water guns. Dulaney High School’s (DHS) class of 2024 kickstarts the senior tradition with a prize pot of $430.
With the class of 2024’s graduation fast approaching, seniors have begun playing Senior Assassin outside of school leading up to their final Dulaney days.
After adding $5 to the prize pot to be admitted into the game, each senior is given the name of a randomized target that they are to “assassinate.” If a player sprays their target with a water gun while their target is not wearing fully-inflated arm floaties, swim goggles on their eyes, or a swim diaper, the target will be eliminated and the player will inherit their target. If a player is “assassinated,” they are eliminated from the game without any chance of reentrance.
As the game is not affiliated with DHS, players are prohibited to play on school property or during any school extracurriculars. Players are also not allowed to enter each other’s houses unless allowed by another household member. Playing while clocked-in at a place of work or in a car is also prohibited. These places are called “safe zones.”
“The minute I walked out of my own house I was eliminated by my friend. I should’ve watched my back,” said defeated senior Ben Feltman.
Although some DHS seniors are in it for temporary entertainment, many seniors take the game very seriously. Senior Maya Cirrincione is determined to be one of this year’s Senior Assassin finalists and win the prize pot.
“I wear my goggles everywhere I have to. This could be the easiest $400 I ever make,” said Cirrincione.
Senior Thomas Mezzullo also has some competition tactics up his sleeve.
“I have an elimination chart that I’ve put together. Every time I find out someone’s target, I write it down, so I can know my next move. I gotta keep track of who my biggest competitors are,” said Mezzullo.
Game updates, “assassination” videos, and announcements are uploaded on a public, student-ran Instagram account. Although Senior Assassin is assumed to end around beginning-to-mid-June, the game can carry on for weeks until there are no players left and a final winner is established.
