It’s hunting season.
Coinciding with the beginning of second semester this year was the beginning of Senior Assassination. (Shootout to Brant Meyer and Jacob Doorn for setting it up and to anyone else who plays a part in making it run smoothly.) The game is simple: seniors pay five dollars to enter the game. They sign up with their real name as well as a code name. Each player gets the name of a target to hit, as well as the code name of the person trying to hit them. Using only foam dart guns (it’s Nerf or nothing), you must hunt down your target and shoot them in order to hit them. If they shoot you first, they are safe for 24 hours. Once you hit someone, your next target is the person that your previous target was hunting. The game goes on like this until there is only one person remaining. That person wins the prize money and eternal glory as a world-class assassin. Maybe their skills will win them a place on a top-secret secret government-run program, you never know!
The more complex parts of rules detail where, when, and what is illegal in terms of hitting a target. School, work, and church are safe, among other places. Despite all these regulations, the idea of a surprise attack or hit job are enough to drive paranoia levels through the roof among the seniors. Good luck finding a senior in the game who isn’t sporting a Nerf gun in their coat, backpack, and car at all times. In short, everyone is locked, loaded, and ready for war.
Even with all the lead they’re packing, many senior friend groups feel the need to form alliances during these early stages of the game. But with the amount of deception and secrecy involved in the game, alliances can be dangerous. You never know who secretly has to hit you until you get stabbed in the back.
While the hits will come in quickly at the beginning of the game, the rate of attacks will probably subside as buzz around the game diminishes. However, seniors, don’t let your guard down because of that. I think the basic principle of trusting very few people and always being vigilant will always apply. Another thing to keep in mind is to stay safe and be smart. Don’t make poor decisions for the sake of the game. Don’t hurt people, don’t break the law, and don’t destroy anyone’s property.
At the end of the day, the game is about having a good time. Of course, everyone wants to win, but the point is to have fun. I encourage everyone participating to be good sports, be smart, and try their hardest! For anyone not in the game, don’t spoil it for others by giving away secrets or anything like that. (That includes you, freshman, sophomores, and juniors. You’ll get your chance someday.) Remember seniors, have fun, be safe, and may the best assassin win!
