A young Tribal member from Glenpool, Oklahoma, has helped her academic Challenge Bowl team receive first place in a state event.
Brynli Wright, 12, is a member of the Glenpool Middle School Warriors team. Wright’s team received first place at the November 2024 Oklahoma Indian Challenge Bowl at Seminole State College in Seminole, Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Indian Challenge Bowl was hosted by the Oklahoma Council for Indian Education, a group that advocates for Native American students in the state. OCIE not only hosts the annual Challenge Bowl, they also provide scholarships, present an annual conference and oversee the Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society.
Wright has been participating in Challenge Bowl for three years, first for her middle school and now for the Muscogee Creek Nation Challenge Bowl Team.
According to the Muscogee Creek Nation’s Department of Education website, the MCN Challenge Bowl Team is administered through the Johnson O’Malley Program. Team members represent a variety of Oklahoma tribes.
The purpose of the Challenge Bowl is to promote “culture, history, government, and language using traditional values of brotherhood as a foundation” as well as “to set an example of positive role models in good citizenship and tribal pride that would carry on throughout the year.”
“I like learning about the culture and how it all came to be,” Brynli said. “I like learning about all these people that have done really important things.”
Challenge Bowl teams consist of four to five people. Over multiple rounds, they compete to answer questions over a variety of topics.
“There are four rounds and two toss up questions over anything. There is one language round and the captain’s, which is over any section,” Brynli said. “They each have 10 questions and each question you get right is 10 points.”
To prepare for a competition, Brynli sets aside time to study the prepared materials.
“They send out a study guide with a bunch of stuff that you should learn, over (tribal) government, (tribal) language arts, artists and authors, veterans and stuff like that,” she said.
Part of a successful competition involves creating a positive mindset.
“I like to tell myself that I do know this stuff, and I will do great no matter what. And as the competition says, you’re already a winner,” Brynli said.
The first-place win at Seminole State College has been her most memorable competition so far. After their championship, Brynli and her teammates celebrated with a pizza party at a local park.
Wright does occasionally experience nervousness before a competition, but she tries to relax.
“I feel like everybody gets a little nervy during competitions. But I tell my teammates, you just have to breathe, and you do know this stuff,” she said.
Learning new skills
Preparing for Challenge Bowl competitions has equipped her with a new set of skills.
“I have developed a lot of skills like teamwork and sportsmanship and not getting mad if you don’t get every question right,” Brynli said. “I also developed studying skills because there’s a lot of studying involved.”
She believes her skills will be valuable as she pursues other academic goals. Brynli is considering majoring in mechanical engineering or becoming a lawyer.
However, Challenge Bowl is not the only activity Brynli excels in. She is also in gymnastics, cheerleading, band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Brynli’s mother, Vicki Wright, admires how her daughter has the confidence to try new activities and the work ethic to excel at them.
“Proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. I don’t even know if there’s a word for that,” Vicki said. “She gets up, she goes to school, she practices cheer at school, she’s in band and then she’s doing Challenge Bowl. She does Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and gymnastics. She’s learning a little time management and keeping it all together.”
Brynli hopes to continue pursuing gymnastics, possibly even to compete on a college team. She is inspired by gymnasts Simone Biles and Katelyn Ohashi. Wright is amazed at Biles’ ability to constantly innovate, creating new moves for each Olympics.
Family support
Brynli is grateful for how much her family helps her prepare and succeed.
“They always come support me at my competitions and they always come pick me up after practice,” she said. “It makes me feel amazing because I know people are there just for me.”
Vicki Wright said the entire family helps support Brynli. They hope all her activities will eventually prepare her for the future.
“If she needs to study or she wants to study, she’s like, ‘hey, can you quiz me?’ Whenever she needs or asks, I make sure that I’m available to make sure she is getting (to practice) because most of their practices are after school. I try to be there on competition day,” said Vicki. “Wherever she needs me, and she wants me, I try my best to be there. I haven’t missed one yet, but I know the day is coming and she’s going to have more than what I can keep up with.”
Vicki believes the time management skills Brynli is learning will help her balance all her priorities in the future.
“She’s starting to notice that she’s getting less and less time to do things. I say, ‘You just have to figure it out and put forth the time and make sure you get it all done,’ Vicki said. “And I say, ‘There’s time. You just got to schedule it and make sure you’re managing it well.’”
Vicki is confident that Brynli will make the most of every opportunity.
“She’s making it work. She does her best to do everything and do everything to the best of her ability,” she said. “It’s paying off.”