Thirteen students from Kanawha County were among 225 eighth graders recognized this week as members of the 2026 Golden Horseshoe class during a ceremony at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston.

State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt and Gov. Patrick Morrisey honored the students, who earned the distinction through their performance on the annual Golden Horseshoe examination, a statewide assessment that measures knowledge of West Virginia history, civics, government, geography, economics and culture.

During the ceremony, Blatt knighted the students while Morrisey presented them with Golden Horseshoe pins, officially welcoming them into one of the state's longest-standing academic traditions.

"The Golden Horseshoe pin symbolizes students’ dedication to academic success and becoming an informed citizen who is proud of their state heritage," Blatt said in a statement. "Their commitment to learning and understanding West Virginia history exemplifies the qualities of future leaders who will help shape West Virginia for generations to come."

The Golden Horseshoe program has recognized outstanding student achievement in West Virginia studies since 1931. More than 15,000 students have received the honor over the program’s history.

Although the exam serves as a competition, it also fulfills the state's social studies testing requirement for eighth-grade students.

Kanawha County students named to the 2026 Golden Horseshoe class include:

  • Ka'Mylle Barrett, South Charleston Middle School

  • Adri'ann Carter, West Side Middle School

  • Ny'emah Concepcion, West Side Middle School

  • Aubrie Greenhowe, Dunbar Middle School

  • Ka'nyah Green, West Side Middle School

  • Liam Harris, Charleston Catholic High School

  • Landon Harper-Agee, South Charleston Middle School

  • Ky'Leigh Kiser, West Side Middle School

  • Madeleine Marquez, Dunbar Middle School

  • Jordan Surface, Sissonville Middle School

  • Ryleigh Troup, Sissonville Middle School

  • Ace Walton, Sissonville Middle School

  • Adilyn Young, Dunbar Middle School

The West Virginia Department of Education also recognized three honorary Knights of the Golden Horseshoe for their contributions to the state and the program. The 2026 honorary recipients are Adena Barnette-Miller of Jackson County, Matthew Harvey of Monroe County and Paula Meadows of Boone County.

Students who earn Golden Horseshoe recognition join a distinguished group of West Virginians who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the Mountain State’s history, government and culture.

See photos from this week's Golden Horseshoe awards ceremony on the West Virginia Department of Education's Flickr account.