About Golden Horseshoe

A high point of the eighth-grade year is the chance for a student to become a Knight of the Golden Horseshoe. The name refers to the golden horseshoes given to the early explorers of West Virginia. In 1716, Alexander Spotswood, Governor of the Virginia Colony, felt the land west of the Allegheny Mountains needed exploring.

He organized a party of roughly 50 men who pledged, “Sic jurat transcendere monte,” which means “Thus he swears to cross the mountains.” Governor Spotswood presented a small golden horseshoe to those who crossed the mountains into Western Virginia, beginning the Golden Horseshoe tradition.

This tradition was revitalized in the late 1920s through West Virginia Clubs thanks to The West Virginia Review editor Phil M. Conley. In late 1929, Conley presented his idea to State Superintendent of Free Schools William C. Cook who wanted the state Department of Education to promote academic study of the state. Superintendent Cook expanded Conley’s idea by honoring the highest-achieving students with a state award. In 1930, roughly 2,736 clubs were organized with more than 48,000 students as members. During the first Golden Horseshoe ceremony in 1931, 87 students from 46 counties were honored as Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.

This program honors students who excel in the study of West Virginia. Since 1931, roughly 15,000 eighth-grade students have received a golden pin symbolizing their understanding of West Virginia's heritage.

The Golden Horseshoe Award is unique in its statewide recognition of academic achievement. Each year, roughly 22,000 eighth-grade students study a comprehensive West Virginia curriculum. This curriculum exposes students to the history, geography, economy, and government of the Mountain State. We use the Golden Horseshoe Award to honor “all-state” West Virginia Studies students.

Winning eighth-grade students are honored during a one-day ceremony held in Charleston.  At least two students from each county, one from each charter school, and one from the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are selected for the award. The other 110 honorees are selected based on each county’s eighth-grade population. The honorees can also tour the State Capitol and West Virginia Culture Center while in Charleston.

The high point of the Golden Horseshoe Ceremony is the induction of the students into the Golden Horseshoe Society. The State Superintendent of Schools dubs students a Knight of the Golden Horseshoe Society with a tap of a sword on the shoulder. Each student receives a Golden Horseshoe pin and a place within a continuing tradition.

Archives

Programs

Ceremony Videos

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