ST. ALBANS, W.Va. -- Rick Comer is no stranger to Golden Horseshoe winners at McKinley Middle School.

The eighth-grade West Virginia studies teacher, whose classroom walls are covered in posters of Seneca Rocks, Cass Scenic Railroad, the New River Gorge Bridge and other popular destinations, has taught 42 McKinley students who eventually won the Golden Horseshoe award.

He takes little credit for the first, Elizabeth Thomas, who won in 1994.

"She pretty much did it on her own," Comer said. "I wasn't much help to her."

The award is given each year to eighth-grade students who display exceptional knowledge of West Virginia's history, economy, geography and government.

Every year since 1997, McKinley's class has been able to boast of at least one - and usually multiple - Golden Horseshoe winners.

This year, Comer has six of Kanawha County's 13 winners.

"It's an honor to get one," he said. "And to get six is exciting."

One of this year's winners, Caroline Bruce, is the third among her siblings to win the award. Her sister Lindsey won in 2005 and her brother Joshua won in 2004. Comer taught both.

"I wanted to win more because they won," Caroline said.

Ever since Joshua won, Caroline's mother also encouraged her children to work toward the award.

"She was like, 'You guys need to win, too,'" Caroline said. Her younger brother, who's in the fifth grade, might be next.

"That's pretty unique to have three in the same family," Comer said.

Some of McKinley's six winners said they learned this year about West Virginia's role in the Civil War and slavery and about state politics and county seats.

ST. ALBANS, W.Va. -- Rick Comer is no stranger to Golden Horseshoe winners at McKinley Middle School.

The eighth-grade West Virginia studies teacher, whose classroom walls are covered in posters of Seneca Rocks, Cass Scenic Railroad, the New River Gorge Bridge and other popular destinations, has taught 42 McKinley students who eventually won the Golden Horseshoe award.

He takes little credit for the first, Elizabeth Thomas, who won in 1994.

"She pretty much did it on her own," Comer said. "I wasn't much help to her."

The award is given each year to eighth-grade students who display exceptional knowledge of West Virginia's history, economy, geography and government.

Every year since 1997, McKinley's class has been able to boast of at least one - and usually multiple - Golden Horseshoe winners.

This year, Comer has six of Kanawha County's 13 winners.

"It's an honor to get one," he said. "And to get six is exciting."

One of this year's winners, Caroline Bruce, is the third among her siblings to win the award. Her sister Lindsey won in 2005 and her brother Joshua won in 2004. Comer taught both.

"I wanted to win more because they won," Caroline said.

Ever since Joshua won, Caroline's mother also encouraged her children to work toward the award.

"She was like, 'You guys need to win, too,'" Caroline said. Her younger brother, who's in the fifth grade, might be next.

"That's pretty unique to have three in the same family," Comer said.

Some of McKinley's six winners said they learned this year about West Virginia's role in the Civil War and slavery and about state politics and county seats.

When quizzed at random, most of them correctly answered: What is the county seat of Doddridge County?

"West Union," they said.   

Students are often interested in West Virginia studies because the class combines history, geography, politics and economics into one yearlong course, Comer said.

Some of his students said they were surprised to learn how many famous Americans are from West Virginia, from Kathy Mattea and Don Knotts to Mary Lou Retton and Chuck Yeager.

The students said they weren't too surprised when they took the Golden Horseshoe test in early April. Students take the test online and must answer 50 questions. The test is open to all eighth-grade students in West Virginia.  

"We'd seen most of the questions [before]," said winner Christian Wickline.

His classmate, fellow Golden Horseshoe winner Garrett Lester, said, "I guessed on a couple" of the questions.

This year's other winners from McKinley are: Baker Knapp, Jarred Hypes and Isabella Zifilippo.

Comer's not sure there is any secret to McKinley's success on the Golden Horseshoe. 

"I have tried to encourage my students to achieve at a high level through hard work," he wrote in an e-mail. "I think my enthusiasm for the subject of West Virginia studies is apparent."

He believes using technology to prepare for the test is helpful. Students use Comer's Web page, review PowerPoint slides and take an online practice test to prepare for the Golden Horseshoe.

 "I have also tried to impress upon my students that the Golden Horseshoe is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they have responded with their success," Comer said.

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1254.