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Mt. Vernon Teen Recognized on MLK Day

Mt. Vernon High School Senior Sophie Kloppenburg smiles after the memorial bench is uncovered
John Gibson
Mt. Vernon High School Senior Sophie Kloppenburg smiles after the memorial bench was uncovered in October

Sophie Kloppenburg successfully pushed for a marker on the Posey County Courthouse lawn honoring seven black men who were killed more than a century ago

A Mt. Vernon teen was recognized during Martin Luther King Day activities at USI. WNIN’s has the story:

University President Ronald Rochon honored Sophie Kloppenburg for her work to establish a memorial on the Posey County Courthouse lawn honoring seven men whose lynchings and murders in the late 1800's were never recognized.

In front of a sold-out crowd, Rochon called Kloppenburg “young and daring, committed to caring, and a humble nature who challenged each of us to address our past and give humanity a reason to trust.”

Also recognized were Kloppenburg’s high school teacher, Kevin Krizan; mother, Dr. Lioba Kloppenburg; and USI faculty mentor Kristalyn Shefveland, for their part in Kloppenburg’s journey.

The girl’s push to establish the marker on the courthouse lawn in Mt. Vernon has received national news attention.