The widely popularized tradition of Senior Assassin has made its way to Pleasant Valley High School, bringing students and the community together in more ways than one. 

This year’s game has become more than just a lighthearted competition among seniors. Unlike previous years, half of the money collected from buy-ins will be donated to a charity as a gift from the class of 2026. 

Senior organizer Millie Matkovich explained the reasoning behind the decision.

“We decided to donate half of the ‘pot’ to charity this year as a way to give back to our community,” Matkovich said. “We plan to have people vote for what charity we should donate it to. As a gift from the class of 2026. In hopes that other classes will follow in our footsteps and the school will recognize this as more than just a game.”

Beyond the charitable aspect, students say the game has also strengthened connections throughout the senior class. Peers who may not have interacted previously are now collaborating to eliminate targets, creating new friendships and breaking down social barriers.

Senior Hanley Schmidt said the game has created memorable experiences during the final weeks of high school.

“I think that it has given us some amazing moments together in the last few weeks that we have at PV,” Schmidt said. “In my classes, everyone has been talking about it, and it is so much fun. I think we all have gotten to interact with new people.”

As the school year comes to a close and seniors prepare to graduate, many students look back on the tradition with pride. What began as a simple game has evolved into an opportunity to strengthen community connections while supporting a larger cause.

In the end, Senior Assassin is not only about who wins or loses, but also about the relationships formed along the way. Shared experiences and unexpected friendships have turned the game into something that benefits the entire senior class and community.