Senior Assassin is back on and foam has started flying; as of writing this, more than 40 of the 176 12th graders have already been taken out. The prize of $880 dollars is tantalizing, and the tension in the air is palpable.

Our teachers, too, are wise to this atmosphere of stress. Their opinions on and knowledge of the game vary wildly. Here are just a few:

Ms. Campbell has heard of the game, but only vaguely. She is not exactly keeping up with it, and hadn’t really noticed it intruding into class (owing to the fact she doesn’t teach seniors). She did comment, however, that she found it disconcerting and confusing the first time she saw it.

Ms. Campbell’s high school did not have a great amount of senior traditions. Her graduating class was too uninterested to even do a senior prank. Her overall opinion on Senior Assassin is one of apathy: “As long as it doesn’t interfere with school, I don’t really care.”

Ms. Ishikawa was completely unfamiliar. Growing up in Japan, her high school did not participate in the 12th grade traditions we know and love here in America, like senior prank or skip day, the closest event being a senior field trip. After it was explained to her, she commented that the tradition was “very American” and expressed concern over the surrounding community, calling out the retirement home across the street.

Ishikawa Sensei expressed concern about the timing of the event, saying that admins should be aware of it and caution should be taken about the impression it gives to an outside observer. She also advised that it’s important to communicate with stakeholders in the community, from the owners of the surrounding businesses to the student body.

Ms. Ware has mixed opinions on the game. While she was following the game to a degree, she did not have any favorites, and was not familiar with everyone who was playing. Ms. Ware’s high school was new, much like LHS, and she applauded the introduction of school traditions, which her school was slow to adopt. Much like Ms. Campbell, her graduating class also had no senior prank, due to a strict administration.

Ms. Ware was worried, however, that the game seemed to be escalating, disrupting her sixth period class where many seniors were asking to leave early in order to tail their quarries. To these students, she said that she did not give special treatment.

Mr. Noyes is following the game avidly. When he heard about the game, he “redownloaded Instagram just to follow it.” When asked if he had any favorites, he bracketed a final battle between Ella and Sydney Blau, commenting that it would be interesting to see the two twins battle it out. He also complimented Anton on his fast work, and Maxton on his ingenious use of a decoy to escape his hunter. When asked, Mr. Noyes provided that his high school did a senior prank, but was brusque, quietly adding “I don’t think you guys should do one, though.”

Regarding the concerns brought up by Ms. Ishikawa, Mr. Noyes said he was torn. He complimented the organizers and participants, saying that they’ve done well disconnecting it with school. He marveled at the way nearly 200 students had all stuck to the rules purely on the honor system, although he did give that the contest was negatively impacting attendance.

However, this mindset is also upsetting to him. The poor timing of the event reminds him of the conservative rhetoric that there is “nothing that can be done” regarding guns in schools. But, he says, it is ultimately “nothing more than a game of tag.”

Note: this article and the interviews featured in it were conducted and recorded on March 30th, 2023