For the last few years a group of volunteering upperclassmen have made a tradition of deception, stalking, and sneak attacks. These students participate in a game known as “water toy assassins.”

The game is simple, avoid your assassin… and get a target out. Each person is assigned to someone who they must cover with water in some fashion. It is strictly a student-led game with no ties to the school.

This year’s game is run by senior Ali Habila. Habila handles all the logistics and behind the scenes work for the game. He has to handle any disputes between players and the cash prize. The winner is entitled to this prize which consists of money that students pay to participate. 

“Everyone pays 10 bucks and we had like, 70 people, so that’s 700 dollars,” Habila said. 

In order to assign each player a random target, Habila spun a wheel and paired people up. Seventy participants ensures lots of action and interesting game play. Every participant has their own strategy to try to be the last one standing and win the cash prize. Although Habila isn’t participating, he has his own best strategy.

 “Get your person out early and then hibernate for the rest of the week,” Habila said.

One of the first out was junior Sami Salazar. Salazar was caught by her assassin in a Target, which she says was frustrating. 

“It was difficult to trust people,” Salazar said. 

Salazar’s boyfriend had made his location available to Salazar’s assassin. Making it easy to track her down. Although she got out early, she still had a lot of fun.

On the other end is Matthew Solorio, a senior who had made it to the final three. Solorio was out early his junior year, and says he’s looking for redemption. Solorio claimed lying and wit kept him in the game. 

“I don’t even hide. I went golfing with my family, you just gotta be smart,” Solorio said.

Solorio also credits some of his friends for looking out for him, saying that having good people around helped him. Solorio’s connections with others assisted  him in finding his second target. He contacted club soccer coaches he knew to find his target’s practice time.

“I know she plays soccer, so I went to a practice. She didn’t know I knew,” Solorio said.

Solorio was determined to stay in and win the final round.

“Imma’ win it no matter what,” Solorio said.

Junior Musa Khan, Solorio, and junior Kirby Super were the final competitors left in this year’s game. Khan was able to get Super out, leaving just Solorio, but he wasn’t able to get Khan out within the allotted time. Making Khan this year’s winner.

Pulling back the facade of a dramatic, hunter-versus-prey game, reveals a good time had by all. Water toy assassins is a fun activity for the upperclassmen – a rite of passage game for the juniors and a sending off game for the seniors.