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MIDDLE SCHOOLERS PUT PRESIDENT BENSON TO THE TEST

By West Virginia University

March 5^th, 2026

In a quiet library at Mountaineer Middle School in Morgantown, West Virginia, the tables turned.

West Virginia University President and Professor of History Michael T. Benson was on the receiving end of sample questions from the Golden Horseshoe exam, a Mountain State tradition dating back to 1931 that tests 8th graders’ knowledge of state history.

“I did not study for this,” Benson admitted with a smile.

Benson teamed up with Lexi Baniak for friendly competition against twins Josh and Bethany Perl. Jaxon Matthews served as trivia master. All are 8th graders at Mountaineer Middle.

The Golden Horseshoe has long been a rite of passage for 8th graders across West Virginia. 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.

Leading up to the announcement of the winners, roughly 22,000 students study a comprehensive West Virginia curriculum. This curriculum exposes students to the history, geography, economy and government of the Mountain State.

In the video and images below, watch Benson lean in, guess boldly and laugh with students as he models curiosity and humility throughout the contest.

Before tackling trivia, Benson gave a history lesson to more than 200 students in the auditorium at Mountaineer Middle. To read a recap of that, visit WVU Today.

WVU President Michael T. Benson listens to a question during a Golden Horseshoe quiz game with Mountaineer Middle School students.

WVU President Michael T. Benson meets students at Mountaineer Middle School. From left to right are 8th graders Lexi Baniak, Bethany Perl, Jaxon Matthews and Josh Perl.

WVU President Benson listens to middle school students' question during a discussion in a library. Students sit around a table with call bells. — WVU President Michael T. Benson and Mountaineer Middle School students listen to a question during a Golden Horseshoe quiz game.

WVU President Michael T. Benson talks about West Virginia history to 8th-grade students at Mountaineer Middle School on Feb. 27, 2026.

Monongalia County Board of Education staff clap while WVU President Michael T. Benson teaches history at Mountaineer Middle School.

WVU President Michael T. Benson talks about Abraham Lincoln at Mountaineer Middle School.

WVU President Michael Benson laughs while talking to middle school students. He wears a navy suit with a WVU pin. An American flag is visible in the background. — WVU President Michael T. Benson shares a laugh with 8th-grade students at Mountaineer Middle School.

WVU President Michael T. Benson talks about Sen. Justin Morrill to 8th-grade students at Mountaineer Middle School.

WVU President Benson poses with four middle school students in a library after filming. Benson wears a navy suit; the students wear casual clothing. — WVU President Michael T. Benson with Mountaineer Middle School students (left to right) Bethany Perl, Lexi Baniak, Jaxon Matthews and Josh Perl on Feb. 27, 2026.

Footnotes

Story by Jake Stump. Photos by Brian Persinger. Video by Scott Lituchy.

FootNotes

Story by Jake Stump. Photos by Brian Persinger. Video by Scott Lituchy.

© 2026 West Virginia University

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