Nykerk: Spirit, Sisterhood, & Silliness

Guest Writer: MJ Howes (’26)

How is it that a season lasting just four weeks can leave such a profound impact on its members? Having now witnessed Nykerk as both a playgirl and play coach, I feel EVEN more amazed at and grateful for its beauty.

Spirit: There is an energy embodied in the Nykerk season that rubs off on each participant. 

I didn’t participate in Nykerk my freshman year. I figured that it made no sense for an introvert who had never before performed on a stage to take part in this performance. When the season rolled around last year, however, I became determined to participate in a Hope tradition during my time in college. Auditioning for Even Year Play completely changed the trajectory of my college experience. 

Early last season, I was afraid to fully embrace the crazy acting and big personality required to perform in Nykerk. And there were often times when I would walk into our practice spaces completely worn out, seemingly unable to embody the energy and excitement needed to play my character. 

But the magical thing about Nykerk was the way that it filled me up. I left each practice more joyful, passionate, and committed than I was when I had entered. Through the encouragement of my sisters and formation from my coaches, I grew to embody the spirit of Nykerk. It shaped me into someone who is unafraid to be silly and fearlessly pursue what she is passionate about. 

Sisterhood: The community formed by Nykerk is unlike any other I’ve found at or outside of Hope College. 

With all that goes into practices, I would estimate that the playgirls spend at least 80 hours together during the month leading up to Nykerk. With so much time spent in close proximity, an incredible community is formed. 

In my time as a coach, I have been able to watch this community emerge for a new generation of playgirls. Each and every night, my co-coach Kelsie and I would melt over the bond forming between our girls. Since Nykerk occurs during the first semester of college, it provides an incredible opportunity for freshmen to meet and connect. Their common experience of going through this secretive, high-intensity, silly experience brings them incredibly close. Watching the girls begin to compliment one another’s performance and spend time together outside of rehearsal filled us with so much joy.

This language of sisterhood is very on-brand for Nykerk. Even Year participants lovingly call the play/song coaches “moms” and the morale coaches “dads.” But even broader than that, the theme of a tight-knit, family-like atmosphere reaches throughout the whole tradition. Members between sections and across years care for each other through constant encouragement, gifts, and kind notes; demonstrating what is often referred to as “Nykerk Love.”

Silliness: There is a joy that participants experience—rooted in the traditions that playgirls, song girls, orators, moralers, and coaches engage in throughout the season.

The thing that distinguishes Nykerk is the silly, goofy nature of the tradition. On stage, the audience will immediately notice how untraditional the performance is. Nykerk Play, for example, is characterized by its exaggerated acting and big motions. Even Year Play, specifically, traditionally draws exaggerated expression lines on their faces and includes a “Whose Play?” scene that references Hope’s other Even vs Odd tradition: The Pull. 

The silliness of Nykerk does not end on the stage, however. Participants are always being thrown into crazy traditions during rehearsal nights. Although I cannot share what we do specifically (Nykerk is very secretive), I can say that our practices are always full of laughs. From chants and songs to wacky costumes and skits, rehearsals never fail to bring joy to all involved.

The spirit, sisterhood, and silliness embodied by Nykerk is what makes it so special to the participants that take the stage each October. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to continue this tradition. Although the season just ended, I am already eagerly anticipating next year’s Nykerk kick-off. Even Year… let’s do this!

(Featured image source: Hope College Nykerk Instagram page)