It’s that time of year! A time categorized by anxiety, fear, and determination. It’s time for on- edge seniors to be constantly glancing over their shoulders, incessantly questioning their friends’ loyalty, and strategically befriending lower classmen. That’s right; it’s time for Senior Out.

“When senior out commences, trust no one,” said senior Zane Hendig. “I know that I won’t hesitate to stab close friends in the back, so I expect no less from them.”

In less than a week SDA’s March madness will begin. From March 5 to March 14 seniors have the option to participate in a massive game of tag that has a Hunger Games type appeal.

The premise is simple: participating seniors are each assigned a fellow classmate who is also playing Senior Out. The goal of the game is to try and tag that person before you are tagged by someone else.

Assignment is random. However, ASB has had some mix-ups in the past that led to some extra interesting games.

“One year we thought it was all random but it was the order in which you bought your ticket,” said ASB teacher Rod Keillor. “So we had boyfriends and girlfriends go up to buy their tickets and they’d get each other.”

The point of trying to tag your assigned person is to get their card.

If you tag someone, you receive the card of the person they were trying to tag and now you must try to tag that person. At the end of the game, the remaining participant with the most cards wins.

There is high anticipation for this year’s game among seniors:

“I’m excited to be creepy and get people out,” said senior Annie Goodstein.

“I plan on winning and will accept nothing less than first place,” said Hendig. “I’m in Huy’s homeroom. That alone should speak to my competitiveness.”

Seniors can get quite intense when it comes to senior out, so it makes sense that some boundaries were established and restrictions made.

A full list of the rules is given to each senior upon buying their ticket, but here’s a few to give you an idea:
• No one can be within five feet of the person you are trying to tag
• You may not go into the restroom or locker-room of the opposite gender
• You can’t play during class time, just passing periods and lunch
• No tackling
• Hours of play: 7 a.m.to 4p.m.

Many seniors have already begun to devise strategies to win.

Some will exploit their connections with underclassmen.

“My strategy is to make my freshman sister walk with me to every class,” said senior Hannah Duncan. “My motto is ‘trust no one’.”

Senior Lauren Nelson is also going to use her sibling to her advantage. “I’m definitely going to be checking under my car when I leave school and I’m forcing my sister to get out of the car and check for me every morning.”

Or they may get their parents to help out.

“I’m going to make my parents walk me to my car in the morning. I’m never going to be caught alone, “ said Goodstein.
Others may opt to make alliances within among themselves. This, however, can be a tricky business.

“I think you have to be pretty cautious from the get go,” said Goodstein. “I feel like if you make alliances then people are going to turn on you.”

Hendig said that he will avoid being with only one person at a time, because he fears they will abandon him for a stronger alliance.

So what is the objective behind the meticulous strategies and daily precautions? What’s the method behind the madness?

Besides earning the esteemed and priceless title of Senior Out champion, past winners have received a free prom and grad night ticket said Keillor.

This year ASB is still working on this year’s prize, but it will be along those lines.

So seniors, if you’re up for the challenge be sure to buy your ticket at the finance office by this Wednesday, Feb. 26th.