For bullied high school sophomore Whitney Kropp, looking good was the best revenge.
Earlier this month, the West Branch, Mich., teen said she thought about
killing herself after some
classmates told her she was nominated to homecoming court as a joke.
On Friday, Kropp had the last laugh.
Local businesses rallied around the teen, donating her dress, shoes, jewelry, hair styling and makeup.
The 16-year-old was escorted by her father and grandfather to the field, where she confidently took her place in the Ogemaw Heights High School homecoming court.
Students on the opposing team cheered Kropp on with banners.
"It's just so much right now for me," Kropp said. "I had thoughts about
not coming but I actually changed my mind and came out. I just thought
maybe I won't have fun. But I'm having a lot of fun right now."
Kropp said she doesn't know who decided to pull the cruel "prank" on
her, but had a message for other students dealing with bullying.
"The kids that are bullying, do not let them bring you down," Kropp
said. "Stand up for what you believe in, and go with your heart and go
with your gut. That's what I did, and look at me now. I'm just as happy
as can be."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
