From swimming goggles to inflatable floaties being worn to school, the seniors at Encinal Jr. Sr. High School are looking a little different this semester. It may be seen as a crazy fashion statement to most, but to senior Alicia Luong, it’s all part of the plan. As host of the annual senior assassin, Luong knows exactly who’s safe and who’s not.
Rules of the game
The game of senior assassin has been a popular game played among high school seniors. While its name might be confusing, the game itself is quite simple.
Here are the rules:
- Every player is assigned a target they have to eliminate within a set timeframe. However, they are also being tracked by another player.
- All eliminations have to be done using only a water gun or water bottle.
- No eliminations can be made during school hours, on school grounds, or during any school events.
- Players are prohibited from both eliminating their target at their place of employment, and trespassing on a private property.
- Safety items like swim goggles, swim caps, or inflatable floaties can be used to protect a player from eliminations.
- Players cannot be assassinated in safe zones.
- During “purge days”, all safety items can no longer protect players but safe zones still apply.
Players who bring the game onto school grounds will lose their senior privileges. These privileges involve attending events like prom, senior banquet, and senior picnic. Not only do these guidelines ensure safety, it pushes players to find their targets in unconventional places.
The mastermind behind the game
While most players are hyper focused on playing the game, Luong, is in charge of running it. As host of Encinal’s 2026 senior assassin, Luong had to spend time laying groundwork for the game to move smoothly.
“It definitely took some planning,” Luong said. “I had to sit down for a couple of weeks and write down the rules and regulations, how to get people out, and how to differentiate senior assassins.”
Hosting the game also meant satisfying the senior class’s excitement towards it. Initially, no one from Luong’s class stepped up to host the game. Luong took the initiative to ensure her class didn’t miss out on an annual tradition.
“I wanted to run senior assassin because I didn’t really want to play, but I still really wanted to be part of it,” Luong said. “It seemed like a fun thing to do and I wasn’t super busy at the time.”
In action
While Luong manages the game, the reality of being a player is intense. The first round started on Friday, March 7, and ended on Friday, March 27. Senior Erik Nettling, holds the title of eliminating the most players. He has eliminated a total of four players within the first round.
When asked about the operation Nettling said, “Waking up at 5 a.m., having a car, and free time,” got him these eliminations.
In round two, the day of prom was declared a truce day. For the sake of everyone getting ready, eliminations weren’t allowed to be made from midnight to 11:59 p.m. As fortunate as this news was, senior Julian Matthews was on the unluckier side. When the clock struck midnight on prom night, Matthews was eliminated by senior Taye Ohh.
“I was hanging out with my friends,” Matthews said, “We were all having a good time and Taye ran up on me and got me.”
Matthews, who had a record of zero eliminations, became a casualty as the game shifts to a higher intensity. With the prom truce officially over and round three prohibiting safety items, eliminations are expected to happen faster than ever as the roster of players condenses toward one final winner.
“There is a prize,” Luong said. “It will be split between the winner, myself, and also the Class of 2026 Grad Night.”
Through her meticulous planning, Luong built a great foundation for her fellow seniors to enjoy a tradition they will remember long after the water has dried.
