Maybe you’ve seen the mermaid floaties on a teen’s arms when shopping in the grocery store. Perhaps your eye caught someone wearing swimming pool goggles while simply walking to their car. 

With the Class of 2024 coming closer to walking the stage during graduation, these seemingly unusual scenes are part of an end-of-year senior tradition. 

In this non-VHHS affiliated tradition, students aim to ‘tag’ their peers with a water blaster. The TSP will refer to this competition as the “Senior Game.” The floaties and goggles serve as immunity for these students and keep them safe from getting “out.” While students cannot play on school property, students try to tag their opponents in stores, parks, or at their target’s houses. 

Throughout the year, Seniors may look forward to participating in the Powderpuff game, having childhood backpacks, or ditch day after Prom. The Senior Game is one of these traditions that seniors can participate in before they bid farewell. 

However, safety concerns about this game arose after a row of incidents in Illinois took place regarding this high school tradition. For example, in Itasca, Il., a group of teenagers participated in the game, which resulted in a rollover crash from a loss of control, according to ABC7 Eyewitness News. According to police, nobody was seriously injured. 

Additionally, in an incident in Gurnee, a group of teenagers wore ski masks and entered a restaurant in an attempt to ‘tag’ their opponents. An adult, who was a concealed-carry holder, mistook this to be a real threat, as it was also reported that the water guns were painted black in order to resemble firearms, according to The Guardian. 

Officials were able to deescalate the situation, but Gurnee police warned that these incidents could result in disorderly conduct charges, according to NBC Chicago. 

With the increased worries about the consequences of this senior tradition, some precautions have been taken by students. For example, tagging someone in any gym was no longer permitted. 

Following the Gurnee incident, an email was sent out by Vernon Hills High School Principal, Dr. Jon Guillaume, to the community addressing the concerns for safety. 

“D128 school premises are designated as safe spaces for all students and staff, and any activities that might compromise this safety are forbidden. While the intent of the game is friendly competition, the potential for misunderstandings or serious incidents stemming from the activity must be considered,” Guillaume said. 

Elyse Davis 

Elyse Davis (12) has looked forward to participating in this game, noting it as a way to bring the community together. 

“It’s an activity that a lot of seniors participate in. It sounded fun and was something that the class could do as one,” Davis said. 

With the help of her friends, Davis attempted to get her assigned player out. 

“I had a friend contact me after one of their track meets, so I went to the restaurant my target was at, waiting for them to take off their floaties and following them around,” Davis said. 

However, this was one of Davis’s multiple fruitless attempts to tag her first target. 

“I sat outside his house waiting for him because I knew he had a meeting in the morning, but he had left 30 minutes before I got there. This happened twice,” Davis said. 

After failing at tagging her assigned player in 11 days, Davis was put on the first Bounty Board. There, her floaties couldn’t serve as immunity anymore and anyone could get her out. 

Due to not ‘tagging’ anyone in 13 days, Davis was eliminated from the game. However, she finds that the game is worth it in the end, though she may look silly at times. 

“I definitely feel ridiculous [with my floaties on], but it is a fun game that everyone participates in, so that makes it worth it,” Davis said. 

Aldi Flores: 

Aldi Flores (12) didn’t join the game in time, but believes it is a tradition that unites the senior class.

“It’s one big final game that everyone can participate in before graduation and everyone goes their separate ways,” Flores said. 

Flores believes that the game allows seniors to talk more in a fun way. 

“It’s community building because we can communicate more [with the game]. It’s a way where everyone can come together in the last couple of months of senior year,” Flores said. 

Playing in the Senior Game isn’t the only way to get involved. Though Flores isn’t working to ‘tag’ his opponents, he participates in the Senior Game another way. Flores continues to trade information with players, informing them on who is trying to ‘tag’ them. 

Charlie Blackmer: 

Charlie Blackmer (12) succeeded in getting his first target, Sam Dugan, out. 

Blackmer was able to gain access into Dugan’s house (one of the rules is you must have permission to enter another individual’s house, according to the game’s Rules Document linked on the Instagram account @vh.senior.assassin), and used that opportunity to tag him. 

“It was pretty easy. I was let into my target’s house and was able to get him. I think it’s a little scary because you always have to be on the lookout and cautious of who is trying to get you,” Blackmer said. 

During the second round, Blackmer ‘tagged’ Emma Fricano. However, he was eliminated by Sashank Kurra (12) on May 4. 

As of May 6, the game is continuing and no one has been named a winner. The last ones standing (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and the player with the most eliminations will win money.