Sprayed and Betrayed: Senior Assassin Takes Over Nokomis

The Teams Playing

While the end of senior year brings much stress — tests, prom, and making sure graduation requirements are met, seniors at Nokomis are fighting for survival in more ways than one. Trending in schools across the nation, “Senior Assassin” has officially taken over Nokomis.

What is Senior Assassin?

In Senior Assassin teams of one to three players are assigned a target through the Splashin app and have seven days to eliminate them with a water gun. If a team fails to eliminate its target in time, they are automatically out. Teams that successfully make an elimination move on and inherit their targets next assignment, continuing until only one team remains.

If a teammate is eliminated during a round and the team eliminates all of the team’s targets that teammate can be revived. Every elimination must be recorded for revision. Each week a new safety item is required, ranging from goggles, to arm floaties- and must be visibly worn to count.

Admin Lauren Russell, who runs the game and instagram account, explains, “Senior Assassin isn’t like Uno.. this is a game that requires constant revision, communication, and analysis.” Lauren has already faced backlash over a situation where a rule was not clearly stated, but seemed like common sense.

Players may not realize the time and effort it takes to run the game. Between constant Instagram updates, reviewing eliminations, adjusting rules, and monitoring players to prevent cheating, the workload adds up quickly. Lauren says “It has been substantial to see how much my screen time has gone up from being on the Splashin app, Instagram, Canva, and my Notes app.” Not to mention how much communication she must be in with people calling her for questions, and texting her co admin Sam Parker.

Eliminated Teams

How its changing students lives

Within the game, designated safety zones play a major role. School grounds are safe from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and players are also protected 15 minutes before, during, and after school events. Workplaces are considered safe while players are on shift, and homes are safe unless an assassin has clear permission to enter. Places of worship are also off-limits.

Even with these safety measures in place, students’ daily lives are still being affected. Daegan Trafton explains, “It definitely has made me more aware and cautious of my surroundings which in turn makes me a bit paranoid.” This feeling is shared by classmate Kayla Morse who says that she now checks her surroundings more and “I always lock my car now.” While staying aware is important, another major factor in survival is remembering to wear the weekly safety item whenever outside of a safe zone.

Owen Snowman, Rayonna White, and Kadence Turner

Community vs. Stress

Senior assassin is a lighthearted way to end the class of 2026’s senior year- but does it bring students together or create more stress? Haylee Romasco believes it does both, saying, “It brings the senior class together but it also is a big cause of stress because everyone is on edge and worried about getting eliminated.”

Elizabeth Parker shares a similar perspective, noting that stress can build, but “It gets people talking to people who they might not normally talk to.”

From betrayals to alliances, it is clear to all that Senior Assassin is creating new connections across the senior class. With graduation right around the corner, many students are finding it meaningful to share one final experience together.

Strategy

As the game continues, players have developed a variety of strategies to stay “alive.” Some are simple while others go to the extreme.

Most players, when asked, said that they have brought their water gun, and safety item wherever they go. Some even wear it inside their own house. Others take a more cautious approach. Emma Morse admits, “I just stay home,” using avoidance as her main strategy.

For some students the mindset is everything. Owen Snowman explains, “I always go about it by assuming someone is watching me no matter where I go.” Whether it’s about staying alert or avoiding public places all together, students are constantly adapting in order to survive.

Eliminations and Highlights

As competition increases, so do the lengths players are willing to go to secure eliminations. Some moments are strategic, while others are simply unforgettable.

Elizabeth Parker recalls one of the more unusual moments, saying, “I wore my goggles at my nail appointment.”

Owen Snowman shares a competitive spin, “We squad wiped two teams. I don’t think I could ever forget that.”

From unexpected location to intense team plays, Senior Assassin has created moments that players will remember long after graduation.

Daegan Trafton and Alex Bates (minus teammate Jonah VanDeventer)

The Purge

One of the most intense parts of the game is the “purge” where normal rules shift and eliminations happen rapidly. During this time, the pressure increases and players are forced to take bigger risks.

Kadence Turner described it best: “the purge was filled with pure chaos and everyone was desperately trying to get each other out.” Her teammate Owen Snowman adds to this intensity saying, “When it comes down to ‘every man for themselves’ it becomes more entertaining to not only try to watch your own back, but try to stab someone else’s in the meantime.”

With players rushing to eliminate targets while also protecting themselves the purge creates some of the most memorable moments of the game.

What would students change?

Even though many students enjoy the game, there are still aspects they would like to improve.

Elizabeth Parker suggests, “I would make the app so we don’t have to pay to get peoples locations.”

Emma Morse adds, “Your assassin shouldn’t be allowed to be at your house at all.”

Haylee Romasco offers another idea, saying, “I wish we could get out our own assassin.”

These suggestions show that while the game is fun, students are actively thinking about how it could be made even better.

Despite the stress, strategy and occasional chaos, Senior Assassin has brought students together in a unique way. As the Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the memories, competition, and connections formed through the game will likely be something they carry with them long after the final elimination.