Every year, the Hastings High School seniors compete to win a title and $900. Their jobs every year: bring a water gun to school and whatever safety item is required. They never know when or who will come and get them. Being alert is key to winning this game. I interviewed three finalists, including the winner, to hear about their perspectives.
Senior Assassin is not just a competition but also a game of dedication. Valentina Dimnet said that she “considered” people might be following her home, or learning her schedule, habits, etc. She knew that players would be more open to “stalker-like” behavior, and he kept those aspects in mind.
The hunger games was a way of lessening the group of people left in the game. On the Burke Estate Field, remaining seniors would place their water guns on the grass and run to pick them up. If they do so too late, the chance of them getting out is significantly higher. John Meilke said, “By that point, I lost interest but wanted to go and see what would happen”
By eliminating certain safety items, “you have to create a balance with how much you want to continue caring about [senior assassin],” Meilke said. John felt committed, even when giving up was the easier option. He said, ”I didn’t leave the house a single time without [the safety items].”
David Caramanica, class of 2025’s senior assassin winner, explained how the person who is assigned to eliminate you “makes a big difference.” He felt “pretty lucky” that the people who had him over the duration of time from the start to the end were not “very close” to him. Caramanica used strategies like “teaming up” during the hunger games to mass eliminate people quickly.
Many seniors feel as though their “fun” experiences served as a leisure activity amongst the stress of senior year. By bringing miscellaneous items to school to avoid opponents, seniors enjoyed the ability to compete with their classmates. Some of the objects included: spoons, pacifiers, watermelons, and others. Valentina Dimmet faced numerous obstacles. One being “unfamiliar” with her targets. By not having an understanding of her opponent’s daily routine, she became unsure of “where and when to get [the person] out.” On the other hand, some took the game more seriously. Senior Valentina Dimmet said, “One of the first nights I accidentally fell asleep with the spoon in my hand.” She stated that even with the hunger games being the “deciding factor” to who would win, she didn’t feel too much pressure otherwise. Keeping a positive attitude is key to her success.
Dimmet reflected, “I kept the mindset that if I win, it was a bonus to have some money in my pocket, but if I didn’t I’d just be having a good time.” Over all she enjoyed her experience, it allowed her to form new bonds, compete, and feel rewarded.