Senior Assassin is making a splash: what started as a simple end-of-year celebration for graduating seniors has transformed into a yearly tradition involving competition and community.

Senior Assassin is a game where seniors, armed with self-supplied, water-based tools, are assigned “targets” (participating peers) by varying gamemasters. They then work to eliminate one another, adhering to a gamemaster-provided rulebook of guidelines. After a successful elimination, students attempt to eliminate their victim’s target while avoiding their secret assassin by wearing designated “safety” gear.

This year’s game, organized by seniors Aadhi Balakrishnan and Angie Elseisi, runs from Jan. 26 to March 17. It spans four rounds and accumulates into a free-for-all, with occasional purge, bounty and redemption days. 

Despite the game’s benign intent, Senior Assassin has raised safety concerns. The Irvine Police Department recently shared a social media post discouraging students from using water guns that could be mistaken for real firearms.

To prevent such incidents, Northwood’s rulebook requires participants to use water guns that are colorful or otherwise easy to distinguish from real firearms. Irvine Unified School District campuses and parking lots are also designated as “safe zones” during school hours. The same goes for work sites while on shift.

“I don’t think it’d be fair if people showed up at someone’s job to mess with them or ruin their relationship with their boss or colleagues,” Senior Assassin participant Johan Simon said. “While the rules might sometimes feel like they’re holding us back, they help keep everything fun and organized.”

For updates on this year’s game, visit the 2026 Senior Assassin Instagram page at @nhsseniorassassins26.