With water balloons flying and hitting targets, this year’s senior water balloon game is making a splash. Towards the end of the school year, the seniors sign up to participate in a game of throwing water balloons at each other to win a cash prize. This yearly student-organized event is not sanctioned by the school.

116 Seniors have signed up to play in the game this year. The rules to this game are simple, participants try to eliminate each other by hitting each other with water balloons and afterwards have to get a picture of who they eliminated, while also having to get at least one person out every five days. There are more specific rules that prohibit things such as participating in the games on school property or throwing balloons inside buildings. 

The first place player will receive 50% of the total pool while the second place player and the player with the most kills receives 25% of the total pool. The cash pool keeps racking up coming to just under $2,000. 

While this may seem like a light-hearted game, school administration has sent out an email concerning the game. According to the email, things are getting out of hand with daily reports by parents, students, and law enforcement partners of participants speeding in the surrounding neighborhoods, driving on sidewalks and backwards down streets, almost hitting elementary students at bus stops with water balloons, hitting parked cars, and ambushing others while at work. 

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office published a public statement concerning the games, one sentence saying, “LPD has received reports of speeding, a hit-and-run, and reckless driving involving these pranks.” and “These actions are illegal AND extremely dangerous for both vehicle occupants and pedestrians.” 

Senior Braxton Griffin, who is the organizer of this event, has since told everyone participating “To calm down and be respectful.”

Griffin says that as the game goes on and more people are being eliminated that the games haven’t been as hectic. “Most participants are playing smartly and safely,” he said. “As I have made it very clear, that is the first priority.”