The annual HSSC-hosted Assassin kicked off on Sep. 9, sweeping excitement through the school. Laughter echoed in the hallways as students watched the game unfold, eagerly following the latest elimination selfies on HSSC’s Instagram stories.
The rules of the game were simple: eliminate assigned targets by snapping a selfie with them. Each player had one target at a time, and the game continued until only one person remained.
While the rules remained the same as last year’s, the stakes were higher with more enticing prizes. First-place winner Ryan Kim (11) walked away with a speaker, while Danny Han (12) claimed second place and received a digital camera. The players with the most eliminations—Danny Han (12), Ryan Kim (11), and Alex Lee (12)—earned Starbucks gift cards. The awards for the best and funniest photos went to Noella Shin (10) and Alex Lee (12), respectively, who also received Starbucks gift cards.
The game was fast-paced, and the competition was fierce as students aimed for these the top prizes. To gain an edge in this intense environment, some employed creative strategies.
“Instead of running around like others, I was trying to stay low when I went up to them and get the kill quickly on the first time trying,” Ryan Kim (11), first place winner, said. “The whole game of assassin, especially coming up with these little strategies, was fun and thrilling for me.”
Beyond the fun and thrill, the event fostered school-wide connections, bringing together students from all corners of the school.
“I saw a lot of people running around and having fun,” Noella Shin (10), third place winner, said. “I think Assassin sort of brought our school together, with different year groups interacting by chasing or being chased.”
The event’s success was made possible by the well-organized planning behind it. HSSC’s careful coordination ensured the game stayed engaging, keeping players on their toes.
“We tracked eliminations on a spreadsheet, verified photos, and updated targets quickly to maintain the game’s fast pace,” Yoonjin Kang (10), HSSC member, said. “Next year, we’ll focus more on safety and make new regulations.”
With plans for improvements already underway, it is clear that HSSC is dedicated to making each year’s Assassin more exciting and enjoyable for everyone.
