BY KASEY CHARRON
Despite temperatures remaining mild, things are heating up for Canton High School seniors when the annual water wars began this past Thursday, May 2nd.

Water wars is a senior tradition that many surrounding high schools take part in as well. In Canton, seniors form teams of two and have 72 hours to spray another team with water guns. If they don’t get both partners, or if both partners are shot themselves, then the team doesn’t advance to the next round. The winners at the end split the money accumulated from the fifteen dollar entry fee each student who participates pays. This year, it totals $400 per winner.
So far, two teams are out of the game entirely: Nate Christopher and Nick Amrose and Madeline and Delaney Brown. If only one member had been shot, then the team could still advance by getting their two targets. But because both were shot, they can’t advance into the next round.
Some of the most dedicated teams have spent countless hours and money planning and purchasing water guns. Sean Sullivan even prom-posed to Alexa Huff with a sign that read “Since we will be committing crimes 4 water wars, let’s do time together at prom.” Rather than give her flowers, he gave her a literal truckload of water guns.
“It was really unexpected, and made me excited to play water wars,” Huff noted. “I think there’s a lot of competitiveness, which is really good even though a lot of people got out the first night.”
Not every student participates. Many have a variety reasons to opt out of the competition, such as senior Anthony Burns.
“I just don’t have any time,” Burns explains. “I have extracurricular activities to do after school, like track and field, piano, church activities, and lifting. Also, fifteen dollars  is a lot of money. And the class gets in too many fights, I might as well stay away from the drama.”
Water wars, also called assassinations in other schools, has been subject to controversy for several years. Several parents and students find it a risky game because of common incidents involving street racing and the invasion of private property, which pose danger to Canton High School students.
Several rules, put in place by coordinators Hannah Moore and Rachel Falzone are aimed to keep the game fair, safe and fun. The rules prohibit players from getting their targets before work, or any other situations in which they can’t be wet. It makes sure that while the game stays intense, it doesn’t get too out of hand.

Good luck to all the seniors participating, and may the odds be ever in your favor.