After years of anticipation, the high-stakes game that senior classes at schools around the country have come to cherish has finally made its way up to the Hill – but with a twist. This spring, FSHA seniors are participating in Senior Splash, a reimagined version of the popular Senior Assassin game.
In Senior Assassin, players hunt their assigned targets with water guns, water balloons, or even buckets of water. The goal: get your target wet and eliminate him or her from the game. It’s been a rite of passage at many schools, cherished for the excitement it adds to the last few months of the school year.
The name change from Senior Assassin to Senior Splash is a result of FSHA administration’s desire to distance the event from anything that could be seen as promoting violence or harm. “Assassin” is a term that, understandably, can raise concerns, especially in the current climate where discussions of school safety are top of mind.
“We understand it. They don’t want anything that could seem violent. It’s not even really about the name, it’s about the fun we’re having as a class before graduation,” said an anonymous FSHA senior.
The seniors who planned the event worked hard to come up with a more neutral name. Senior Splash, they believe, captures the spirit of the event without any negative associations.
Another important factor is that Senior Splash is not officially affiliated with FSHA. That means players of the game cannot post on official social media sites or our school’s website. Seniors have taken responsibility to organize and run the event independently.
“I think it’s cool that the seniors planned the whole thing by themselves. It truly shows how close of a class they are,” Emma Giovannone ‘27 said.
“It’s such a fun way to end the year,” said Amelie Kock ‘25.
Seniors took the lead on all aspects of the game, from getting everyone to download the app “Splashin” to ensuring that everyone plays fairly and safely.
In spite of these restrictions and the fact that the game is entirely student-led, Senior Splash has gained a significant amount of popularity within the senior class and excitement has been seen all throughout. To date, over 70 seniors have signed up to play.
“I think people are just excited to have something fun and be competitive in our last few months here on the Hill,” Gianna Candelora ‘25 said.
“It’s something we’ve been looking forward to, so it’s fun to finally be playing,” said Lauren Cabatuando ‘25.
To maintain fairness and safety, specific rules were created about when and where eliminations can take place. Water attacks are strictly prohibited during school hours, on campus grounds, at athletic practices, etc. This ensures that the game remains separate from the academic environment and prioritizes respect for the wider school community.
Some seniors have even gotten their families involved. Parents have been helping with strategic planning or standing lookout in drive-thrus and grocery store parking lots. “My mom is more into it than I am,” one senior laughed.
No matter the name, the spirit of this game remains the same. It’s a way for seniors to bond and have fun in the final months of their high school experience. While it may not look exactly like past versions of the game, it’s an experience that will leave lasting memories on the class of 2025.
