Every spring, during the second and third quarter, seniors compete in a game called Senior Assassin. It is a game that is meant to ignite some friendly competition in the last few months of school involving every person attempting to get their “target” out with a water gun. However, in order to layer the game, there are specific safety items that give competitors immunity; examples from this year include eggs, flour, and buckets of water. The items get progressively more impractical as the competition goes on. Throughout the game there are occasional ‘Purges,’ one hour sessions where the safety item is useless and no one is safe. Then, at the end of the game, there is typically a ‘Hunger Games’ that takes place on Burke Field, where the last ten people have to compete in a mock flag football tournament until only a few remain. The 2026 round of Senior Assassin was slightly different, as there wasn’t a Hunger Games due to the fact that only one person hadn’t eliminated their target by the required date. On May 14th, Lola Norlander and Aiden Curtis were announced as winners.
Even though the competition didn’t escalate to the Hunger Games, both winners shared how they still treated the regular game boundaries seriously. Norlander, who is a softball player, shared how places such as inside the school, sports practice, rehearsals, and work were all considered off-limits. The Purge was quite stressful for some, with Norlander sharing how she “jumped over fences to stay safe.” However, Curtis commented that he actually capitalized on the ‘Purges’ as a way to “rack up some kills.” Evidently, Curtis ended the game with seven, more than any other competitor. Meanwhile, Norlander focused on protecting herself; she shared: “I turned off my location so that no one knew where I was.”
Although both winners spent time developing their strategy, they were also motivated by the financial reward ($750 for each of the two winners) and the glory of being announced as a winner. Lola explained how she was enticed by the idea of becoming the “first person in Hastings Softball history to win senior assassin,” while Curtis shared his “all or nothing” mindset of playing to win. Ultimately, Curtis’s assertive strategy of eliminating the most targets, and Lola’s strategy of self-preservation lead to their victory (which, according to Norlander and Curtis, “radiated so much aura,” and “was relieving as they didn’t need to carry the safety item,” respectively).
Although their unique experiences in Senior Assassin have come to a close, Norlander and Curtis both signed out with some advice for the rising seniors. Both winners suggested focusing on elimination; Curtis said how “getting people out was his favorite part” as it “makes it fun” and “keeps you in the game.” Norlander added how essential it is to “lay low” and “constantly check Instagram before you leave” to avoid being caught in a ‘Purge.’ She finished her comments by crediting support from her family, saying how her dad was a “huge help as he really wanted me to win.”
And as we approach the summer time, and the juniors become seniors, we will see who from the Class of 2027 will rise to the challenge and carry on the legacy of Senior Assassin.
