FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jackson County Schools Celebrates 2026 Golden Horseshoe Winners
RIPLEY, WV – Jackson County Schools is proud to announce that four local students have been named 2026 Golden Horseshoe winners, one of the most prestigious academic honors in the state of West Virginia. Since 1931, this award has recognized students who demonstrate exceptional knowledge of West Virginia history, geography, and culture.
This year’s Jackson County winners are:
Ramona Allinder, Ravenswood Middle School
Alivia Belisle, Ripley Middle School
Ava Isner, Ripley Middle School
Serenity Reed, Ripley Middle School
These students will be among 225 winners statewide to be inducted as "knights" of the Golden Horseshoe Society. The state-administered exam challenges students to prove their mastery of the Mountain State’s heritage, a tradition that has honored West Virginia youth for nearly a century.
"We are incredibly proud of these students for their dedication to learning our state's history," said William Hosaflook, Superintendent of Jackson County Schools. "Their achievement reflects both their personal hard work and the high quality of social studies instruction in our middle schools."
The winners will be formally recognized at a special Golden Horseshoe ceremony on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston. Jackson County Schools also plans to honor these students at an upcoming Board of Education meeting to celebrate their accomplishments with the local community.
For more information regarding the Golden Horseshoe program, please visit the West Virginia Department of Education website.