This year’s Nykerk competition has come and gone, and it was definitely a night to remember! It was the first time Nykerk had ever been held in the DeVos Fieldhouse, which definitely gave it a different feel than it had in the Holland Civic Center last year. I really liked having it in DeVos and I’m excited to watch it for the next two (and hopefully more) years!
If you aren’t familiar with Nykerk, it is a competition between the freshman and sophomore women, supported by “morale boys” of their same ages who support and encourage the women throughout their intensive practices for three weeks before the night of Nykerk. There are three components of the competition: Song, Oration, and Play. Song is a large group of women who sing a song and do hand motions along with it. Oration is one woman who gives an approximately 8-10 minute speech with hand gestures. Both the freshman and sophomore orators write their speech on the same topic with their own interpretations. This year’s theme was “Laugh.” Play is a group of about 12-16 women who perform an original skit. All of these events are filled with many traditions, and alumni often cheer throughout performances when they see their traditional movements. Sophomores are coached by seniors, and freshmen are coached by juniors.
The first performance this year was Even Year (’18) Song:
Even Year sang an arrangement of “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. What a great song choice!
The second performance was the Odd Year (’17) Orator, Madeline Chapman!
She gave a touching speech with personal experience tied in and made the Class of 2017 proud.
Even Year (’18) Play was next on the agenda!
Even Year did a twist on The Wizard of Oz for their play this year. Here was my favorite part:
Too good.
Next up was Odd Year (’17) Song!
Odd Year Song did a medley of songs from the 80’s. Oh, Odd Year, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind!
The next performance was Even Year (’18) Oration by Cassidy Bernhardt!
My favorite line? “I am hilarious.” So well delivered and so well received.
Odd Year (’17) Play was up next!
Odd Year Play did a performance about a princess from Liechtenstein in Washington, D.C. Hilarious.
All the performances were great, and I had no idea who was going to win.
In the end, the freshmen came out on top. Congratulations, Class of 2018!
Thanks for reading! Keep up with me on Twitter (@hopekathryn17), Instagram (@kathrynekrieger), or via email at kathryn.krieger@hope.edu!
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
– Ephesians 2:10