October is National Bullying Prevention Month and we’ll be devoting our October Posts to the problem of bullying!

Imagine This: You’re a high school sophomore and some of your classmates nominate you for the high school homecoming court as a cruel joke. So what do you do? Do you stay home and avoid the whole homecoming scene?

 Who: You’re Whitney Kropp, a 16-year-old sophomore at Ogemaw Heights High School.

What: The Homecoming Court and the Homecoming Game at Ogemaw Heights High School

Where: West Branch, Michigan

When: September 28, 2012.

This is the inspiring story of a 16-year-old girl who was cruelly bullied by some of her classmates.

You’re elected to the homecoming court at your Michigan high school as a cruel prank by some of your classmates. But what could have been a potential disaster turns into one of the most wonderful moments of your life!

When you learn your nomination was a prank, you feel “like trash” and you’re tempted to stay home and try to forget what has happened. But then you change your mind and decide to not let the bullies win. You decide to take a stand not just for yourself but for all kids who are dealing with bullies!

Your hometown rallies behind you and a Facebook campaign is launched to support you. Several local businesses donate your homecoming gown and shoes and hairstylist Shannon Champagne donates her services.

At the homecoming game, you’re escorted to the field by your father and grandfather where you take your place in the homecoming court amidst erupting cheers and flashing cameras. Even students on the opposing team cheer you with banners and, during halftime, the marching band plays and a pickup carries you around the track surrounding the field. You will remember this special moment for the rest of your life!

Today Whitney’s advice to other kids dealing with bullies: “Don’t let the bullies bring you down. 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.”

Thank you, Whitney for caring enough to make a difference!

Postscript: A Facebook page titled “Support Whitney Kropp” currently has 137,593 likes and 146,535 people are talking about it.

For More about Whitney:

 Something to Think about: What would you have done if you were Whitney?

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Willoughby and I hope you enjoyed this week’s true story and will be back next week for another story to inspire you to DARE TO DREAM BIG!

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