By: Ava Burr
Via: Facebook
Schools across the nation have kept the tradition of the senior assassin, as a last burst of fun in their final weeks of high school. More recently, parents, law enforcement, and school administrators have expressed concerns about this classic high school tradition, causing a decrease in schools that participate. Despite the many opinions on eliminating the senior assassin, there are numerous reasons to continue this well-loved tradition.
Senior Assassin is a fun, creative, and competitive game played by high school seniors. Usually played in the spring, the goal of the game is to “eliminate the ‘target’” you are given by using a water gun to “assassinate” them. Students plan ambushes and hide behind cars as strategies to make the game more exciting. This is used as a way for high schoolers to bond and spend less time on social media. According to CNN’s Kara Alaimo in her article “The ‘Senior Assassin’ game is all good fun– until it isn’t,” "Their generation spends less time with friends and more on social media. In 1999, the average 12th grader went on 2.78 social outings per week. By 2020, that number dropped to 1.89.” Many 12th graders over the past 20 years have spent less and less time being social with their friends, family, and peers at school. Schools participating in this tradition have created a bond like no other, especially after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Via: The Red Ledger
Via: WVEC
Unfortunately, there have been students who have taken the game too far, causing injuries and panic from people who are not involved in the game by using water guns that look like real weapons. Neal Riley from CBS News explains in the article "‘Senior assassin’ game prompts warning to students from several Massachusetts police departments” the dangers that have occurred with this game over the years: “In an incident eight years ago involving students playing the game, a Hopkinton homeowner saw a stranger in her garage, locked it remotely with the teenager inside, and called 911. And in Kingston two years ago, multiple police cruisers responded when the game was played with a water gun that looked like a real Glock firearm.” This game has caused many people to panic due to their unfamiliarity with the game's occurrence or its nature.
All in all, Senior Assassin is a game that is meant to be fun for high school students during the final weeks of school. Before the event occurs, citizens should be made aware of the game taking place so that there is no panic involved. This tradition should be kept alive throughout schools across the nation as one last fun event for Seniors to participate in before graduation.