By Fantasy Aponte ’28
Every spring, seniors at Derby High School gear up for one of the most anticipated traditions: Senior Soak Off. The game begins May 1, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. Senior Soak Off is a friendly competition that gets seniors together in strategy, suspense and splash. In the game, seniors try to eliminate their assigned target by soaking them with a water gun, but eliminations only count in approved safe zones such as driveways, front yards and public outdoor areas — not inside school buildings or private property.
Derby High School seniors are responsible for bringing their own floaties and water guns for the Senior Soak Off event. To participate, each student must download the Splashin app and enter the provided code to join the game. Once registered, players should form teams of two directly within the app to compete.
While Senior Soak Off is supposed to be a fun game to play, it can get competitive, which is why the game has rules. Breaking any of these rules means instant disqualification — no exceptions. You can’t barge into someone’s house; you need permission to enter their personal homes. No eliminating while cruising around in a car. Your water gun needs to be aimed when the car is parked or completely off.
Every elimination needs to be captured on video and sent to the admin, proving you have eliminated your target. If you do not capture a video, your elimination does not count.
Here are the super important safety tips: Keep your floaties visible on your arms. If they’re on but not showing, you can be eliminated. Your water guns also have a style guide — no dark colors that resemble real weapons or electric models allowed. And most importantly, everyone needs to see your face in the game. Do not wear any type of disguise.
Lastly, an important step in the game is safe zones. School grounds are strictly off-limits for water gun action, and places like parking lots are also off-limits. While workplaces or gyms are not safe zones, their parking lots are safe.
The Senior Soak Off tradition continues to bring laughter, strategy and unforgettable memories for the graduating class. It is important to stay safe while enjoying the game. May the best player win!
The Raider Press 