On June 10, 2025, the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) recognized 223 8th-grade students as 2025 Knights of the Golden Horseshoe at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston. Of those students, include five students from Putnam County Schools.
Congratulations to the following Putnam County Schools Golden Horseshoe Recipients.
Silas Kirby — George Washington Middle School
Jackson Green — Hurricane Middle School
Kasi Nease — Hurricane Middle School
Sophia Roach — Hurricane Middle School
Marlee Edens — Winfield Middle School
Putnam County Schools is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of these students who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge of West Virginia history and culture through the prestigious Golden Horseshoe Award.
The WVDE inducted the students as part of the 309th anniversary of the Golden Horseshoe legacy, recognizing them for their extensive knowledge of West Virginia history and culture. The annual test, administered to every 8th-grade student, highlights Mountain State civics, government, geography, and other categories. The newly inducted knights will join the more than 15,000 students who have received this prestigious honor.
The Golden Horseshoe legacy dates back to 1716, when Governor Alexander Spotswood of the Virginia Colony organized and recognized a delegation of men to explore the land west of the Allegheny Mountains. He presented each with a small golden horseshoe to commemorate their bravery in crossing the mountain. The Golden Horseshoe remains the longest-running program of its kind in the country, with annual state recognitions dating back to 1931.
To learn more and to view the complete list of the 2025 Golden Horseshoe, visit the program page on the WVDE website HERE.