OKMULGEE, Okla – On Friday, Feb 16 the 2024 Muskogee (Creek) Nation Challenge Bowl season wrapped up. The annual competition, now in its 23rd year, was held at the College of the Muscogee Nation during the first three Fridays in February.
Glenpool seemed the team to beat again this year among all age groups, winning in the top two places each Friday with teams from Beggs taking home honors as well. The high school competition was held Friday, Feb 2. Winning first place was Hvresse from Glenpool. Second place was Glenpool Kococvmpv and Beggs No Names took third place.
The middle school competition was held Friday, Feb 9. Winning first place was Este Papv from Glenpool. Second place was Glenpool Wotko and Beggs No Names took third place.
Glenpool swept the board for the elementary school competition, held on Friday, Feb 16. Glenpool Kaccv won first, Glenpool Tvstvnvkvlke won second, and Glenpool Fayv won third.
The Wilbur Gouge Honor Award goes to the team in each division that demonstrates character, respectfulness, and courteousness during the competition and throughout the day. It is named after MCN leader Wilbur Gouge. Gouge was among the first collaborators with Virginia Thomas (Mvskoke) in creating the Challenge Bowl.
According to the rule book, the teams are judged on observed conduct inside and outside the building, during game play, and the sponsor’s behavior.
The Wilbur Gouge Honor for the high school competition and middle school competitions were the Coweta White teams. The Beggs “No Names” received the honor for the elementary competition.
The first MCN JOM Challenge Bowl was held in 2001 at the Sapulpa High School. Since then it has grown in size and support, and has been held at the College of the Muscogee Nation since 2020.
Conceived as a way to promote Creek culture, history, government, and language among children, the challenge bowl is based on fellowship and friendly competition. According to the Department of Education and Training, “The Challenge Bowl Committee made a commitment to set by example, positive role models in good citizenship and tribal pride that would carry on throughout the year and not just during the few days of competition. The challenge bowl brings the schools, community, employees, and citizens together with the common goal of developing tribal pride within our youth.”
During the opening remarks for the highschool competition, Second Chief Del Beaver explained, “We want our kids to learn a little more about who we are, about your people. That’s why today is so important. Today is so special.”
