My Nykerk Reflection: A Community of Silliness, Authenticity, and Vibrance

Guest Writer: Samantha Eriks (’27)

My Octobers at Hope College have been marked by many things: the slow and beautiful changing of the leaves, study sessions in the Pine Grove as classes get busier and time spent laughing with friends as we embrace the beauty of fall in Michigan. And yet, the thing that’s filled my calendar, camera roll and conversations most during the month of October is Nykerk. Sitting here now reflecting on my two years involved in this tradition, I’ve been slightly puzzled by this question: How do I begin to encapsulate a tradition that blends silliness, authenticity and vibrant community? 

During the fall of my freshman year, I was lucky enough to get involved in Nykerk Oration – one of the three facets of the Nyerk competition. In a whirlwind month full of laughter, deep thinking and lots of writing, each Nykerk orator works with their two coaches to write and choreograph a speech surrounding a theme chosen by the oration coaches for that year. As the freshman orator for Odd Year, I spent a month thinking about big questions of identity within the theme “Conflicted Powers,” which proved to be a transformative experience. I came into the oration space with more questions than I had realized, yet I left with clarity on things I believed, a confidence to better articulate my ideas and coaches who I now call dear friends. 

The month of late-night rehearsals, long writing sessions and inside jokes was indeed one full of authentic conversations, as I spent time getting to know and be known by my incredible coaches–Megan Barta (‘25) and Ava Arendt (‘25). That being said, it was also one marked by silliness and vibrant community. The Odd Year community is full of traditions, and looking back, thanks to my involvement in Nykerk, I grew close to some of my best friends. We laughed at the apparent craziness of what we were about to do–them as song girls dressing up in the iconic “nun fits” and me preparing to give a speech with choreographed motions unlike anything we’d ever seen. And yet, we leaned into the fun of all things Odd Year. 

Now, sitting here at the conclusion of a second Nykerk season, I’m struck by how much I’ve come to love this silly, vibrant, authentic community. Getting to experience oration from a coaching perspective this semester meant more full days, fun rehearsals and fulfilling conversations. Working with Aleya Bierma (‘27) as she crafted beautiful words was such a gift, and I’m grateful to have spent another October with dear friends as we processed what it meant to be “At The Origin.” 

Nykerk night–as always–proved to be so memorable. It truly was so exciting to hear the various groups perform and see what they’d been working on for the past month. That’s one thing I especially love about Nykerk. It’s a competition grounded in vibrant tradition, but competition isn’t the primary focus. While Even Year competes against Odd Year to win the Nykerk cup, in my experience, the tradition transcends the competition. Sitting at the Nykerk celebration, that’s what struck me the most. I was in a room full of people who care deeply about maintaining a tradition that promotes empowerment, authenticity and community. 

Looking around at the Senior coaches in the room–many of whom spent four years in the Nykerk space–I was impressed by their commitment to investing in the lives of others and moved by the impact they’ve left on Nykerk. As I watched the Junior coaches deliver their thank yous–full of inside jokes–to the Freshman they had coached, I was touched by their care and enthusiasm, as well as the Freshman’s evident joy for this tradition. But, for me, it was the moment when two of my close friends–the same ones who laughed with me our Freshman year at the apparent craziness of what we were about to do–were called to be song coaches for the class of 2029 that everything came full circle for me. 

It’s not uncommon to think that Nykerk is a little odd. And yet, I can’t imagine what my life at Hope College would look like without it. I know that a year from now, another October will come around and I’ll be met with another month full of all things Nykerk. And yet, I couldn’t be more grateful. Grateful for the ways it’s taught me more about myself. Grateful for the silliness and laughter it’s brought to my life. And, most importantly, grateful for the people it’s helped me get to know and come to love. 

(Featured image source: President Scogin’s Instagram page)