Joplin Kehrer plays soccer and softball and is an announcer for Bridgeport Middle School’s “Tomahawk Talk” closed-circuit TV program.

 

On May 1, she will become a Lady of the Golden Horseshoe Society. One of 221 eighth graders from across the state – and the only one from BMS – Joplin earned the honor by outscoring her peers on this year’s annual Golden Horseshoe test. The West Virginia Department of Education test measures students’ grasp of West Virginia studies. The Golden Horseshoe Award is an 83-year-old tradition, named after and based on the golden horseshoes given to West Virginia’s early 18-century explorers. The Golden Horseshoe has become known as a symbol of scholastic achievement to honor students who excel in West Virginia studies and have an understanding of their state’s proud heritage.

 

An aspiring veterinarian, Joplin claims science and math as her favorite subjects, but obviously has a knack for social studies also. She studied for the test a little, but never expected her score to serve as a ticket to the Golden Horseshoe Ceremony at the state’s Capitol Complex. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will serve as keynote speaker and honored students will be photographed with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The event will also include a post-ceremony reception and tour of the Capitol Complex. Joplin looks forward to attending with her parents Stacey and Al, both lifelong West Virginia natives. They said they are excited too. 

 

“We are extremely proud of her,” Stacey Kehrer said. “None of us ever came close to getting there. She’s so smart and she takes everything in stride, which definitely benefits her as she goes along in school.”  

 

Joplin also won this year's BMS Spelling Bee and advanced to regional competition, finishing 7^th out of 50 contestants. She plays the trumpet in the BMS concert and jazz bands and serves as a buddy for the Bridgeport Little League Challenger Division.