Champion and runner up in the EBHS class of 2025 senior assassin. @ebseniorassasin25 on Instagram
Senior Assassin
JUNE 25, 2025, 8:00 A.M.
Every spring, high school seniors across the United States look for creative ways to celebrate their final months before graduation. At EBHS, the tradition of “Senior Assassin” has become a highlight of senior year. Combining strategy, suspense, and fun, this student-organized game has become an event that unites the senior class in a unique and memorable way.
Senior Assassin is a game of elimination where participants are each assigned a “target,” which is another senior whom they must “eliminate” by spraying them with a water gun. The game is played outside of school hours and off school grounds to ensure that it does not interfere with academics or disrupt daily operations. Once a player successfully eliminates their target, they inherit that student’s target and continue the game. The last person standing wins the game, and, often, prizes are collected through entry fees.
This year’s game kicked off in early April and quickly gained momentum. Over 150 seniors signed up, each paying a small fee to join. The organizers, fellow seniors, created a complex set of rules to maintain fairness and safety. For example, there were designated “safe zones,” such as places of worship, sports practices, and students’ workplaces, where eliminations were not allowed. Players could also earn temporary immunity by wearing goofy accessories like goggles or floaties, making for some fun scenes around town.
"Honestly, watching the seniors play was way more fun than I thought it would be. Some of their strategies were pretty clever," said EBHS Junior Ushnish Chattopadhyay. "It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to trying next year."
Social media played a large role in this year’s game. Students posted video footage of eliminations, near-misses, and clever disguises on Instagram and TikTok using a class-specific hashtag. Some staged elaborate ambushes, while others went completely undercover. The creativity and humor behind each attempt only added to the game’s popularity and gave the entire school community something to talk about.
Despite the excitement, safety remained a top priority. The organizers emphasized responsible behavior, especially around driving and trespassing. Players were warned not to chase targets in moving vehicles or enter private homes uninvited. Parents, teachers, and even local police officers were made aware of the game to prevent misunderstandings. Thanks to thoughtful planning and mutual respect, this year’s game went smoothly without any reported incidents.
"Senior Assassin brought our whole grade together in the weirdest but best way," said EBHS Senior Haylee Chin. "Even if you were out early, you still got to watch the madness unfold."
As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, they’ll carry with them memories of soaked T-shirts and the thrill of chasing and escaping elimination. Senior Assassin has once again proven to be a joyful tradition that brings laughter, excitement, and unity to East Brunswick High School, celebrating not only the end of an era but the beginning of new adventures ahead.
