| What: | 2024 Golden Horseshoe Knighting Ceremony |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, June 11, 2024, Ceremony 1, 9 a.m.; Ceremony 2, 11 a.m.; Ceremony 3, 1:30 p.m. |
| Where: | West Virginia Culture Center, State Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia 25305 |
| Contact: | Christy Day, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications, (304) 558-2699 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us |
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) will recognize the latest inductees of the Golden Horseshoe Society on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the West Virginia Culture Center. This year, 227 8th graders will participate in one of three ceremonies as they are knighted into West Virginia history.
Ceremony 1, 9 a.m.
Recognizes recipients from Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Putnam, Roane, Wayne and Wirt counties.
Lori Cowger Dittman of Braxton County, Jason Gump of Jackson County and Alexis Fisher of Lewis County will receive honorary Golden Horseshoes.
Ceremony 2, 11 a.m.
Recognizes recipients from Gilmer, Greenbrier, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pleasants, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Summers, Tyler, Upshur, Webster, Wetzel, Wood, Wyoming counties and West Virginia Public Charter Schools.
Ceremony 3, 1:30 p.m.
Recognizes recipients from Barbour, Berkeley, Brooke, Doddridge, Grant, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Jefferson, Marshall, Mineral, Monongalia, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Taylor, Tucker counties and the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
This year marks the 308th anniversary of the Golden Horseshoe legacy, and it remains the longest-running program of its kind in the country with the annual state recognitions dating back to 1931. In 1716 Governor of the Virginia Colony Alexander Spotswood organized and recognized a delegation of men who explored the land west of the Allegheny Mountains (most of which is now West Virginia). He presented each with a small golden horseshoe to commemorate their bravery in crossing the mountain.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) will live stream all three ceremonies on its YouTube channel and broadcast the events on WVPB television channels.
A complete list of 2024 winners and information can be found WVDE Golden Horseshoe page.
Photos from the event will be in the WVDE FLickr album.
