Bullied West Branch student is ready to shine
September 28, 2012 at 1:00 am
Bullied West Branch student is ready to shine
By Lauren Abdel-Razzaq
The Detroit News
Whitney Kropp plays with her dog Lucy at her home in West Branch on Thursday. (John M. Galloway / Special to The Detroit News)
West Branch — When Whitney Kropp is introduced tonight as part of Ogemaw Heights High School's homecoming court, the spotlight won't just be on her.
The small farming town of West Branch will be thrust further into a national media frenzy — and not everyone is happy about it.Much of the town has rallied around Kropp, with businesses donating a dress, flowers and a salon trip to the 16-year-old sophomore after classmates voted her onto the homecoming court as a joke.
Some residents fear the incident will tarnish West Branch's image; others see it as a lesson on the consequences of bullying. It's left the town overwhelmed.
"It was something small that turned into something so large," said Jen Case, manager of Whit's End salon, which gave Kropp a haircut, color, updo and makeup treatment for this weekend's festivities. "From all of it, we hope to see other kids who are being bullied step up and speak out."
Tonight, Kropp will be introduced along with the rest of the homecoming court at halftime of Ogemaw Heights' game against Cadillac.
more...
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120928/METRO/209280373#ixzz27k93Xjcl
= new reply since forum marked as read
