For many years prior I have enjoyed the thrill of senior assassins via the exciting videos posted on Instagram and social media, but this year it’s my turn. As it is now the year I graduate, I get the pleasure of engulfing in the many activities senior year contains, senior assassin included. Senior assassin is a game to which all seniors have the opportunity to pay the ten dollar entrance fee and play with a partner of their choosing, in an attempt to win the $2,120 prize fund. This year there were approximately 200 people who signed up to play. This amount is quite large considering that it equates to around a rough 100 total partnerships.

With the sum of people participating in senior assassins, you learn a lot about your peers that you didn’t know prior. Some of this information can be unwanted and too much exposure. Already within the first session I have learned more about my classmates than the past three years I have attended school with them. This particularly applies to the more reserved, quiet people in my grade. 

The concept of the game is quite strange when you put thought into it, because in summary it’s a game where you stalk people and try to kill them. Okay that sounded a little harsh but it’s not far off from the game principles. There are many rules that go along with the game, rules that are to be taken seriously. If they aren’t followed, the kill will not count and/or you could potentially be disqualified. Though it is a fun game, it can also become heated and at the end of the day should still be taken seriously. 

Although it’s nice to participate and have an inclusive activity as such, you get exposed to the boys of your grade. What I mean by this is that you get the pleasure of being in a group chat with a majority of the boys in your grade. At first this doesn’t seem like much, but give it a few days and you will release the effect it has. One would think that the app is their most used with the amount they text in it. All day everyday I get exposed to the brilliant minds of the boys in my grade. While sometimes it can be entertaining and funny to read, most of the time it gives me a headache. Their texts usually are something random, dumb questions, or just them trolling everyone else. No matter what, it’s unfortunately not a surprise to see I have 100 notifications from the group chat by the end of a class period. 

Additionally, one can be a part of a senior assassin without physically participating. Being a member of admin, running the game, or just simply observing are all alternative options. Senior, Lauren Schneider, is this year’s head administrator and has taken on the role of running the game. With this position, she is expected to create the rules, enforce the rules, answer any questions, assign targets, receive and keep track of the money, and many other daunting tasks. The job entails more than what is expected when first proposed, but if the members cooperate and other admin members assist, it can become a lot easier. Although one thing for certain, the head admin better be ready to get spammed by everyone and occasionally get attacked by raging boys. At the end of the day it’s not serious, but it can get very annoying and obnoxious.

With the game just recently kicking off, only a handful of kills have been made and much time remains. It is only a matter of time until people get sick of this game and the effort it requires. Participants are already giving in and offering up negotiations in exchange for their kill. Depending on the level of desperation, this could include just money offers or even buying them chipotle. On the other hand, some people are taking this game way too seriously. The level to which some pairs are going is honestly concerning. For example, blocking driveways, calling their targets to get information, sabotaging their best friends, and many other dramatic measures. This game is the focus of my attention at the moment and I am dedicated to it. Hopefully I survive and succeed in assassinating my targets. Keep your ears open, your eyes peeled, your head on a swivel, and stay safe during these hard times.