Hope College - The Nykerk Cup Competition

The Nykerk Cup Competition

The Nykerk Cup Competition is a 77-year-old tradition at Hope College. It started back in the 1935 by John Nykerk. It is a multi-faceted competition between freshmen and sophomore girls that involves song, play and oration. Song is a combination of synchronized vocals, hand motions and props. Odd year classes and even year classes each have their own traditions that they include in their performance. When the performance comes around every November the alumni go wild as the traditional motions are made. Play incorporates many traditions as well and the script is always connected with Hope College. Oration is an approximately 9 minute speech, which incorporates elaborate hand and body movement. The orator is a female chosen from the class who writes her own speech which is always focused on the theme of Nykerk, which changes from year to year. The morale boys and play boys are another part of the Nykerk tradition. Their job is to make posters for encouragement and give gifts that will help the Nykerk girls get through the busy weeks of preparation. All participants have three weeks to perfect their performance before Nykerk night. On Nykerk Night there is a panel of judges who decide which year wins based on the quality of each performance. Once the winner is decided the Nykerk Cup is awarded to that class and the celebrations begin.