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It’s time for April showers, but this time we don’t mean rain. Bellwood-Antis students have come together to form a non-school affiliated water gun game. The game commonly referred to as “Water Assassins” or “Water Wars” consists of several two-person teams hunting down fellow peers that have been assigned to them, and shooting them with a water gun. If the team fails to hit their target in time, they are eliminated from the game. 

“Water Assassins has been a really fun time so far. Canyon Neyman sitting outside my house all morning wasn’t the greatest, but it’s all a part of the game.” said sophomore Gaven Ridgeway.

Bellwood-Antis took safety measures into account and sent a memo to students and parents that included several safety reminders. Listed in this email was the following:

1. As students are focused on the fun and excitement of the game, this activity must NOT create a distraction to the educational environment in school.
2. Absolutely, NO water guns or balloons should be brought onto school property. This includes in the building, on practice fields, or in vehicles parked on school property.
3. BASD Security and the local police department have been alerted about the game. Automobile safety is a major concern if students are attempting to squirt other students while driving or attempting quick stops to “attack” other students.
4. Another safety concern presented off school grounds is the reaction of by-standers observing students driving around with water guns. From an uninformed perspective, this behavior could cause community concern.

Students and parents took this memo very well. They read the concerns and guidelines and developed a list of rules to allow the game to occur safely.

The rules consist of restrictions as well as safe zones. The rules strictly state school grounds, private property, and places of work and worship are off limits. The rules also state to successfully get a target out you must have clear video evidence to confirm the elimination of the target.

There are 27 teams participating in this game. The students playing are from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes.

Senior Caroline Nagle thinks the game is a great way to become friends with other classes. “Because of Water Assassins I have become closer with underclassmen, even forming alliances with some.” said Caroline. 

Each team paid a total of ten dollars to play. This money will later be redistributed to the winning team. With 27 teams playing this leads to a grand total prize of $270 for the winning team.

Players are having a great time with this new activity and are finding creative ways to lure out their targets.

Seniors Landon Bungo and Connor Fellabaum had to do some smart thinking to get their target, Caleb Beiswenger. “Our friend Braden Wagner works at Meadows. He told us Caleb was in the drive-thru, so we drove up, went through the back, and caught him right at the window.” said Landon.                                                      

Even though students are working against their own peers, students agree the game is creating stronger friendships amongst each other.

“I think Water Assassins is a great way to get us kids outside instead of being cooped up on our cellphones. I also think it’s creating new friendships.” says senior Joseph Dorminy.

We would like to remind students to make smart choices during this game. Stay safe and stay dry.