FRIENDLY FIRE: Lily Randolph ’26 eliminates Maggie Rihn ’26.
Photo courtesy of @ea2026seniorassasin on Instagram
Every Spring, normal school days at the Episcopal Academy become less predictable for the senior class. This shift can be attributed to Senior Assassin, the student-run elimination game that has spread across high schools nationwide and quickly emerged as an EA tradition. Now, EA’s Class of 2026 has taken on the competition with full force.
Led entirely by students, this year’s game is organized this year by Eusie Mita ’26. Mita manages everything from assigning targets to running the Instagram account. He states, “I thought it would be fun to be the mastermind behind [Senior Assassin,] It’s been really fun to pair people up and see how everything plays out.”
The rules are simple, but the game is intense. Each round, a player is assigned a target to eliminate using a water-based method, most commonly a squeezable water bottle. Mita explains, “You have to eliminate your assigned target without getting out.”
To make the game more difficult, each round includes a “safety item”: if a player holds it, they cannot be eliminated. These safety items range from simply carrying a Lucky Charms box around to wearing an entire assortment of swimming equipment. If a player succeeds, they take on their target’s next assignment, and the cycle continues until only one person remains.
Although the game is student-run, its presence is felt across the entire community, even amongst the faculty. VI Form Dean Zachary Richards views it as more than just a competition. “It’s something that is done at high schools all over,” he says. “Our students get to take part in a tradition, and they invest a lot of energy into it.” For many seniors, that energy becomes a part of what defines the final stretch of the school year.
What further makes Senior Assassin stand out is the experiences and memories it creates. The game quickly builds excitement that extends beyond the players themselves. “Watching everyone go crazy about it, especially seeing people get chased down on the green, is really entertaining,” says Charlotte Franklin ’26. “It’s exhilarating,” adds Annie Zebro ’26. “You’re walking around, looking behind you, trying to figure out who has you. It’s that feeling of being on edge.” This suspense makes everyday moments feel less predictable, adding an element of enjoyment to the school day.
Because people may be assigned targets they haven’t had the opportunity to talk to, the game creates unexpected connections. Ryann Newcomb ’26 explains that having a target can bring people together in new ways. “When you have a target [that’s] someone that you don’t usually hang out with, you get a chance to interact with them,” she says. “It’s a really cool way to make our grade bond.” She also emphasizes how the competitive aspect adds to the overall experience. “I like it when people really get into it. It just makes it more fun and brings a whole new level to the game.”
Moments like “Purge Day,” when safety items are removed for a set period of time, highlight just how collective the experience can be. “Seeing everyone run across campus because they’re trying to get someone or avoid getting out was so fun,” Newcomb explains, “It’s a shared experience that we’re all having in that moment.”
Even so, this competition faces challenges. Managing the game during the school day, keeping the game equitable and fair, and overseeing a large number of players requires organization and attention to detail. However, the rules are designed to keep the game running smoothly and easily understood by everyone. Students recognize that these clear rules help keep the game balanced throughout the school day. “It’s planned well,” Franklin explains. “You can’t eliminate anyone in buildings, and it’s against the rules to skip class.”
The student body recognizes that Senior Assassin is about more than just winning. It creates a shared experience during one of the final chapters of high school. Whether it is forming new alliances, planning different strategies, or supporting classmates in the final rounds, the game brings a unique sense of connection to the senior class. It gives them one last chance to take part in something memorable and entirely their own.