On May 4, 2026, the 38th Annual James G. Dawson Hall of Fame Ceremony was held at Clay County High School, celebrating the academic achievements of students across Clay County Schools.
The Hall of Fame was originally established in 1987 by then–Clay County Superintendent of Schools, James G. Dawson, in cooperation with the Clay County Board of Education. As the first countywide academic awards program of its kind, the ceremony was created to recognize and promote one of the school system’s core values: student academic excellence.
Mr. Dawson served as superintendent for 21 years, during which time Clay County Schools earned a strong reputation as the “Premier Rural School System” in West Virginia. Following his retirement, the program was renamed the James G. Dawson Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership and lasting contributions to education in the county.
Keynote speaker Holt Dawson opened the ceremony with remarks honoring his grandad’s legacy. He spoke about the foundation of opportunity established for Clay County students and emphasized the importance of continued community support to ensure future generations can build upon that success.
All four Clay County schools—Big Otter Elementary, Clay Elementary, Clay Middle School, and Clay County High School—recognized students for their academic achievements, honoring a total of 386 students: 61 from Big Otter, 47 from Clay Elementary, 78 from Clay Middle, and 200 from Clay High.
The evening served as a celebration of student achievement and a reminder of the strong educational tradition within Clay County. Congratulations to all Hall of Fame inductees, and best wishes for continued success among the county’s students.
