What was the joke, i don't get it. They wanted to play a joke on her so they elected her homcoming queen? where is the punchline?

The sad thing is you can track this all back to the other students PARENTS. Lousy parents who don't really care about anyone but themselves translate into lousy kids who are the same way because they learned it from mom and dad.

Concerned and Sandy, you're both right. I don't get the prank/joke and it's most likely bad parenting. If either of my kids did something like this, which they'd better not, they'd be in deep with me.

It's tough to see the big picture when you're that age, but I always tell my brilliant high-schooler: Some day they'll be taking your food order and washing your cars.

Well Sacto, that's obnoxious. There is nothing wrong with washing cars or taking food orders if that is what you are good at/capable of. We all know half of these jerks will go on to be "successful" bankers, lawyers and whatevers. Your occupation doesn't matter; it's the kind of person you are that does.

This young lady would make a perfectly beautiful homecoming queen-the kids who pranked should all be banned from homecoming

Whitney looks like a perfectly lovely young lady.

Let's think about this for a second. The school has 800 students, so I figure about 200 in each year.

She was picked as a Sophomore Homecoming princess.

I'm going to say she received far more "real" votes than votes from the idiots who, after the fact, tried to claim the whole thing was a joke.

In fact, I think it's far more likely that what we have here is a small number of "sour grapes" classmates who -- incorrectly -- think they're more worthy of the honor than she is.

I think they should cancel Homecoming for everybody, and give this girl a special night out, maybe a show and dinner and have the kind, Queen and attendants wait on her.

In high school one of the 'popular jocks' asked a mentally challanged girl (from a family with the same unfortunate problem) to the prom while his friends stood across the hall snickering. On Monday morning, after Saturday's prom, the girl showed up at school in her prom dress with his boutonniere in hand and asked him if he wasn't able to find her house. He and his friends ROARED with laughter. Those of us who found out about it were furious. We went to the school administration - but the jerk was the starting football quarterback - so NOTHING was done.

Some things never change. Of course it would be great if he had gone on to live a life riddled with bad luck, sickness and poverty ... and, of course, that is not the case. He has become extremely successful. Creeps always seem to come out on the top of the heap. Go figure.

Whitney ... you are BEAUTIFUL and it sounds like you have MANY people in your corner! Hold your head up and KNOW you are better than those who would try to demoralize you. They are trying to put you down because they are envious and they KNOW that they will NEVER be as wonderful as you!

It's really hard to refrain from bullying back on the bullies, but man...somethings got to give.

i'd like to move away from the "kids will be kids" mentality, and move towards a 3 strikes and your out policy...where the bullies simply dont get an education if they want to keep harrassing and terrorizing their fellow classmates "for fun".

Im sure, if losing the ability to go to a public (or private) school and play sports and be the big man (or girl) on campus were real, there'd be a lot less pricks in our schools.

D. Appel: Your quarterback deserved a career ending broken hand.

I have to go along with a bunch on this...............I don't see what the joke is. She is an average kid from an average small town just the kind that gets selected for these things. So they are saying a lot of people voted for her as a joke................well it's on them I can see her getting votes just because they want to vote for her.

The only joke is on them. The parents are to blame just as these kids are to blame. I went through the same experience with my son. The worst part was the parents gossiping in my face about the "boy who was nominated...it must be a joke." This said while I was volunteering to be on the decorating committee for these brats' graduating party. They didn't realize I am his mother as we had different last names. Well...I let them know who I was. You should have heard them back peddle. I took the time to let them know that I was embarrassed for them and they should look in their own shameful backyards. I wish I could let them all know that my son is an up and coming actor who was just cast as the "Handsome Man," but I doubt their pea brains would get it. I hope this girl can get to a point where she doesn't care either. They are in her life for such a short time. Stupid jerks.

Unfortunately kids don't realize the long-term affects of bullying. I just turned 50 and still remember vividly the name of the person who picked on me in 9th grade. And for those I may have picked on in high school I am truly sorry - but I know that doesn't help now.

Here is a case where I hope it turns into a positive. I am hopeful Whitney has a great time at the homecoming. I can assure you of this - the guys who think they are "all that" in high school usually turn out to be duds in life and the same for the girls who think they are "all that". I am guessing it is because those of us who are "normal" have to learn to live with disappointment and things not "going our way" at such a young age we learn how to adapt and work on the positives and try to not let the negatives affect us. That better prepares us for the "real world" and these "bullies" and "prima donas" don't learn that early enough. So when they hit the "real world" they can't adjust.

Whitney, stay strong, proud, and build your confidence because you WILL be not only the homecoming queen but also the one that will be most successful in your family and personal life going forward.

I get the joke, it's on the voters ! :P

HA-ha

Looooooo...seeeers

I'm glad that things are working out for this young lady.

Now with that said, I think the whole King/Queen, Princesses etc...crud needs to go away at these events. They should be about all the kids and not for the perceived/self anointed click.

So where is the story about the (students) who orchestrated this 'joke". This is bullying. On December 6, 2011 Michigan passed an anti bullying law called "Matt's Law" and all Michigan school districts had six months to develop policies and submit those bullying policies to the State. Certainly it is wonderful that a small community came together for this young girl...but if this is such a small community, certainly it is known who the (group) was that set up this young girl as a joke. What is being done about them?

You can pass as many laws as you want about bullying, etc., but the kids who do this kind of thing are not of an age where they care about any stupid laws. Or consequences. They're at the age if being invincible - don't you remember being that age? Making laws against bullying and expecting it to work is kind of like issuing a restraining order and expecting someone to respect it and not walk right through it. How many persons are hurt or killed by someone they have a restraining order against? Same concept. Stopping bullying starts at home. It starts with mature parents who preach kindness and acceptance to their kids from the time they're old enough to walk/talk. And that still won't guarantee your kid will never be a bully. But it sure helps! And staying on top of your kids' activities - and laying down the law in your home if you find your child was ever involved in any such activity. Kids are cruel. Always have been, always will be. It's how you respond to it, react to it, how you teach your kids to stand up for the less privileged that will make a change. Good to see this community rally!

You know, I can understand why the superintendent isn't naming the kid(s) involved, but what about the parents?

Every schmuck 18 or over who's ever been accused of a crime--or has kids who break the law--get their name in the press for all to see.

No laws were broken here, but maybe parents would do their job a *bit* more conscientiously (and punish their kids a bit more severely) if they were named in the media when their "perfect offspring" pull crap like this.

Kids can be cruel. That was the case when I was that age, and my grandparents probably had similar experiences. But something's changed...and I think it has to do with the fact that kids aren't maturing as much as they used to.

It's not always the case...but more and more, I'm seeing bad kids become bad adults. Perhaps it's the lack of accountability. If they get away with it, they think they're untouchable.

This needs to be nipped in the bud. Hard.

It's unfortunate, but I doubt it will be.

Where i come from this is normal routine, and i already developed thick skin. I could care less of what people think of me, i told myself that at a early age and every time i got made fun or was part of the joke i shrugged it off and kept moving forward. Eventually the best remedy is payback, but to me it seems her payback is going be a ton more then the jokers, and its going to burn with lingering effects.

I think they should just not have "homecoming" court. All it does is make others who aren't picked feel ugly and not as good. It's just a way for the rich bitches in school (those are usually the ones picked) to feel superior over others. Really, I am a big believer in not even having the dances in schools or better yet..have the dances but make them where the kids can just wear jeans and casual wear because a lot of kids can't even attend these events due to not having the money to buy the dresses, money for going out to eat, the pictures, etc. I am just not for it at all. It's all another reason to feel "left out" of the "in crowd". Why not have a kid with special needs be homecoming queen or king? But no, it has to be the beautiful and rich kids who get recognized...they aren't the ones with self esteem issues who need a boost either!!!!! It's all a bunch of crap in my opinion., conjured up from snobby moms and dads who want these dances IMO!!!!

For starters, it would be nice to see the kids involved banned from Homecoming and ALL after school activities for the remainder of the school year, football games, basketball games, dances, etc... That would send one powerful message that this type of bullying is not tolerated. Then the parents should be made to attend specific parenting classes in order that their children be admitted back in school, maybe just 2 or 3 , just enough to annoy them into taking more of an interest in the activities and lifestyles of their teenage children. Chances are, this was orchestrated by teenage girls. Let them see how it feels to be embarrassed by their actions and be left out of the "girls club" at school for the remainder of the school year. It is a wonderful thing the community is doing for this young girl, and I wish her all the best.

I think school royalty is just a joke anyways (no offense to this girl). At our school, the same 2 people were chosen each year from our class for both homecoming and prom court. We were from a small school and the popular kids had a majority vote. This couple was the leaders of them all and it got to be a bit annoying when the same people won each year.

It will come down worse on this girl now, since she has the whole town and folks across the country pulling for her. NO different than if she had told her parents or a teacher what was going on and now her name will be mud. Better for her to hold her head up, tell the offenders that "if this is what gets you going, okay, but next time, find someone who's gonna give a @!$%#" Then walk away and go to the prom.

Sara Lee, geezzz. Does canceling a dance suddenly make someone more attractive? Most of us can look beyond outer shells. And way to stereotype, are all "rich" girls attractive? Are all "rich" boys handsome?

But sure if it builds up your low self-esteem, let's cancel everything fun for everyone lest someone feel offended.

And btw, I'm with a bunch of others. The prank eludes me.

Ahh, poetic justice. I appears the punkers punked themselves. roflmao

The girl in my homecoming class only won because she had big ta-tas and her 2 cousins were on the wrestling team. She never went to college and then ballooned up like the Goodyear blimp.

I LOVE this story. It has been played out by Losers whose self esteem is so fragile that they have to have someone to put down since time began. Canceling the event is not the answer. THIS,shoving it down their throats is the answer. The members of court who were involved are known and are now the joke. The boy who was to be her escort is the biggest Loser and she will have much more fun with a real friend. Fat kids, thin kids, poor kids, REJOICE. As to the expense most communities have a Cinderellas Closet type program for recycling gowns and suits so everyone can enjoy the night. If your community doesn't now is the time to start.

Shame on you West Branch’s Ogemaw Heights High School...no class at all for the stupid joke

Now you have become the face of "indirect bullies"

"I thought I wasn't worthy. I was this big old joke," Whitney told The Detroit News.

Yes you are worthy.

Go Whitney Kropp!!! Have fun little lady.

In ten years hopefully she`ll be the swan ,but be above the ridicule as far as giving it back. That would be a statement!

ProBusiness - I am right there with you at 53 I have been back to one class reunion in 35 years I have been out. It took one night to watch the class break down into their same old cliques and watch people talk about other people and I realized why I hated high school and part of grade school.

I was back home not long ago and ran into one of the girls from my high school class and she couldn't gush enough about how I needed to come back for the class reunion and make sure to spend time with this one and that one. Just couldn't bring myself to do it. Maybe when we hit our 50th class reunion we'll see. But to this day even though I am very successful in my career I still carry those feeling that I did 35 years ago. Of course maybe that is what made me an over achiever and drove me to be successful in my field. You never know but I prefer to believe the joke was on them!!!

OK where's the prank? She got voted onto the Queen's court. Good for her. She's an attractive girl and her mom say's she is a good kid. So where is the story?

What was the joke, i don't get it. They wanted to play a joke on her so they elected her homcoming queen? where is the punchline?

Neither do I. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this story will be back in the news after the prom. Maybe I'm just a little too jaded, but I see a town being scammed into paying for this girl's night out on the town.

I'm betting this young girl didn't always look the way she does now. It's my theory that she has morphed from the ugly duckling in her middle school years (thus establishing her low self-esteem) to the beautiful swan she is now. I'm betting the 'popular crowd' of girls feel threatened by her.

Bullet171 - the story concerns the mean behavior, "bullying" by other students.

Those bullies are real life examples of Forrest Gump's "Stupid is as stupid does."

This young lady looks sooo hot, she should wear pot holders. Better yet, all of the male students at her school should have to pass a test and buy a permit, just to speak with her. !!

Seldom do I agree with Voter-in-LA, but today I have to! Good post.

Jessica, while I see your point there's one flaw in your thinking. The rule you're proposing would undoubtedly be misused and abused. The true bully would still get away with it, and most likely, the rule would be used against the kid fighting back! It's sad I know, but that's how these things always work out.

To all of those "You go girl!!" posts--that is the most annoying, cliched, over-used, idiotic saying ever and should be left in 1995 where it originated.

Sandy from Missouri, I could not agree more.

I loathe MEAN KIDS. But I loathe their PARENTS MORE. Some people will say that parents aren't to blame, and they aren't - completely. But basic characteristics like kindness, acceptance, and respect fall on the parent - and parents have to take responsibility for the type of child they rear, especially if they would so callously hurt another?

Look deep, parents. Use this opportunity to TEACH: Ask your child if they have ever bullied anyone or TREATED ANYONE LIKE THIS. Some kids - unbelievably - might not see this as bullying because it didn't involve words or it wan't physical. THAT'S WHERE PARENTS COME IN. Even when your child denies it, express your disgust with ANYONE who treats someone like this.

My kids know - there is NO DOUBT - how I feel about this: I would not tolerate this type of behavior BY my kids. I would not want them treated this way, but the thought that they would treat someone else this wasy is just as disturbing.

When it happens to them, we talk about it and I tell them the same thing I would tell Whitney: you are a beautiful person and this is hard to understand because the behavior is beneath you. Just keep in mind that mean people, although it doesn't seem it at times, are NOT the majority and they behave that way because they haven't FOUND themselves yet, they aren't comfortable with themselves yet.

Remember, there are more kind, comfortable people out there - find them and surround yourself with them now; the rest will catch up later.

But I'm super glad to hear that Whitney's immediate community rallied - there can never be enough KINDNESS!!! Happy homecoming, Whitney!

She is a beautiful girl, but just a reminder how cruel kids can be at times (sometimes for no reason at all). However, some of the most beautiful women that graduated with me were not at all attractive in high school. Teachers, administrators, and parents have to be vigilant on keeping in tune with what is going on with these kids.

I pray that someone reading this article (preferably a Hollywood stylist) would take this girl and do a complete make-over for homecoming. A little hair color, style, make-up, and the right dress....just wow!!! She has potential. Wouldn't that be amazing?

The whole homecoming court thing should be banned in schools, anyway. Popularity contests are terrible. And, frankly, they're cruel. Why schools are allowed to actually sanction these things, let alone have them, is baffling.

i got picked on too... and now i'm way hotter, more awesome, and more successful than all of my bullies. life is awesome :)

IF the local newspaper had ANY courage and did the right thing they would publish the names of the parents of the children that did the bullying. Bullying is the basic fault of the PARENTS...NO ONE ELSE! The children should respect their parents enough not to be involved and would not be involved if they had been taught to respect others... BY THEIR PARENTS.

BTW...stoopids was appropriately named...this article has nothing to do with Mitt Romney...or Obama either for that matter. What is wrong with stoopid people?

I had a similar thing happen to me when I was a sophomore in high school (400 students) in the 1970's.

I also knew it was a prank at the time, but I got a nice dress, a nice blind date, and a steak and lobster dinner (which was part of the package, paid for by the football team, which in a way, turned the joke back on them).

Jerks are jerks; I reminded myself every day that I was not going to live in that little town for the rest of my life, and that I would not be seeing them again. Imagine what fun I had when I got a job as a motel maid the next year, to earn money for school, getting razzed about being a "bed maker."

Again, a sense of perspective--and a sense of humor-- got me through the next two years, and even gained me some popularity of the good kind.

Go to the prom. Have fun. You win it all. Bully's never win and winners never bully.

I guess I just dont understand the prank. What is the point? To the town-- that is how a community is supposed to come together-- Bravo.

PS Dingle the Carrie thing was some funny @!$%#, nice job.

had a bad experience with the homecoming queen...call...BR549...

how the @!$%# is this a prank!!!!

Communities must stand with our youth to defeat bullies. We must stand up to bullies and speak up and speak out together. Bullies will think it is ok to bully if we don't do something and to rally around this young lady is a great step towards this ongoing problem. We must speak out in one loud voice "Bullying and humiliating people is wrong.

Here's what should be done:

1) The "Homecoming Court" elections for kings, queen, princes, princesses, are declared null and void. The "court" will be replaced by this young girl who is named Homecoming Guest of Honor and all the students who supported her as also Homecoming Honorary Guests.

2) The "students" who pulled this prank are placed on one month suspension and their parents must see to it that they keep up with the curriculum or else the students and their parents will be charged with truancy. Too bad if the parents should have to work. They should've thought about then when they decided to have and misraise kids.

3) The parents of the offending students are called to a massive meeting where they are given a mouthful and belittled about not having any parenting skills. Their names are published. If they don't come, for whatever reason - they can't get off of work; they can't get a babysitter; their severely ill - their kids are expelled from the school with no allowance for return. The parents will have to find some other way to educate their kids or face truancy and child-neglect charges.

4) The "prankster" (a prank is decorating your friend's locker on his/her birthday all in good fun and best wishes) students are banned from all extra-curricular activity, whether sports, clubs, dances for the rest of their attendance at the school. They are also banned from their graduation ceremonies. It doesn't matter if one of them is the star of the football team. There are more from where he came.

5) If the parents of the offenders sue, the school files a counter-suit for double the amount, listing the parents and their bully kids as aggressors who harassed this girl.

As someone who never was invited, to a single dance in high school, I can understand this girl's feelings. She has the last laugh though. And one thing more, when I was finally asked out on a date @ 19.............. my date asked if I wanted a shrimp cocktail? I asked him, "Don't you have to be 21?" I am 67 now. My husband was 4 years younger and very handsome. He was successful in his career and so was I. He dies at 44. One of the guys who was too good for me in high school, saw me at our 35TH class reunion. He asked me out on a date. I dumped him! He was the class VP and turned out to be a jerk. Don't let high school ruin you for life. You can be strong and become your own person. Until then be strong. I am proud of me!

I think a fitting punishment would be to make those kingpins who were responsible for this joke to go to this event wearing clown outfits, then everyone can laugh at them instead.

Why exactly is there a homecoming court? It seems like a completely pointless, aged, silly ritual that does absolutely nothing of value for any of the kids. Of course, I say that as someone who went to a private school without the ritual and as someone who finds little value in any kind of pomp and circumstance.

I hope she reads this. this girl is beautiful I dont get it. If I were guessing Id say she does good in school, minds her own business and has a very good rep and doesnt fall into the trash mouth category. SO therefore they think its a prank since there are prob few like her. She is precious and God has worked in this for sure! I love it and I can honestly say , I play the lotto once a week and If I won several million dollars Id for sure make her the QUEEN. she would have a new car and her own home ! and I would make sure of it. I am a mom of both a son and daughter. I would love nothing more than to fix this girl for life. Huney the joke is on these kids that need to grow up and further more they should all be on thier knees asking God to forgive them of thier attempt at being rude wich failed ever so beautifully. I wish her and her family the best and will say prayers. this is awesome !!!!

As much as we glorify our new information technology, unfortunately it opens the door for this type of behavior.

Sure we had bullies before the internet but they didn't have a computer screen, Facebook or an iPhone to hide behind. Kids today have been emboldened with the safety and anonymity that IM's, Tweets and text messages can afford.

Young Whitney should never have to go through anything like this. No one should. Unfortunately she and her peers are at that age of pubertal confusion. Many of them are exhibiting their alpha ego's and others are just good kids that get caught in the crossfire. This is a very fragile age for children, parents need to be in control of their children.

I'm sure Whitney will have a great homecoming and I tip my hat to West Branch, Michigan. This is how America takes care of problems.

BRAVO!

You just stay as you are because u a woundful girl. It's the ones that did this prank is the ugly ones. It hit back home to them oneday.

Tears come to my eyes when reading this. I hope she has the strength to attend the dance, and look her peers dead in the eye, while having the time of her life! Icing on the cake- if she gets crowned. Kudos to the people rallying behind her, donating their time and services. What a wonderful story stemming from a bad one.

What's funny is, the kids who pick on other kids are very insecure themselves - that's why they travel in packs. The people they pick on are the ones they can see are better than them in one way or another, so they are jealous. Picking on them is how they boost themselves up. The other kids, who see these bullies as the popular kids only play along because they don't wish to be picked on themselves. I got picked on in school until I realized this and turned the tables on the people who were picking on me. I told them how no one really liked them and how everyone knew how ugly they were inside. I pulled in the other kids around me and soon the pickers were all getting picked on. I actually didn't know how many people at school knew who I was, even at other schools kids knew me. I found this out around 12 years later hundreds of miles from that school when some other guy who went to school a town over from me came up and told me he recognized me from way back then.

what the media calls.. PTA....Proms Traumatic Article ... in other news tit tat mom...girl get's spanked...

remember the jock who pants some guy in the locker room in high school and later became a successful high school coach? fifty years later he opens his front door and the guy he pranked blows him away with a pistol. just sayin- something to think about, all you jokers.

What's funny is the irony. Whitney is known as the class prankster. She's constantly getting my friends in trouble for trouble she causes. She's always getting caught and put in ISS. She's not as innocent as this stupid MSN article makes her seem. I've had my chair pulled out twice from her and my bookbag flipped, which caused me to be late to my History class.

I hope that the girls and boys that are responsible are not going to be allowed to go to the prom! This is bullying and they should have ZERO tolerence for this. Those teachers know that girl was put on there as a joke. Teachers know who is popular and who is not! They need to help accountable, the students and the teachers! This all needs to stop! Even the ones pointing and laughing. She needs to tell who it was! How can kids be so cruel? I and my high school fellow cheerleaders would have NEVER done anything like this! The only goofy thing they did was nominate a boy for queen! The school needs to do something! I would sue if they didn't!

So, niece1964, only popular kids should have been voted to the court in the first place? I'm sure that there were kids who voted for her because they liked her, and were glad to see her on the ballot. Not everyone thinks the same way.

As Kurt Hummel said, "Kate Middleton, eat your heart out."

Oh, wait, I just reread your post, and it included: "The only goofy thing they did was nominate a boy for queen!" (I'm sure he wasn't named Kurt Hummel.)

So your post was snark. Well done!

From the content of the article, and the photo, this is a beautiful young lady. Why were the pissy kids doing this to her? Reminds me of Cinderella's gwaddamned ugly step crowd. This had to hurt Her and her parents. Hurts me just to read about It. I think certain parents and kids need a good ass whipping! Those school officials need to be slapped around some too, aye Gwad!

some times it just best to stay at home and smoke a doobie...party on ...

This poor girl reminds me of my daughter, and also what happened to me in H.S.

I'll say something, but no, it isn't meant Personally (it's based on stereotypes).. in the 70's we had a gal who would have been labelled a "dysfunctional dyke" because her parents had money and she thought she Ruled. Her closest friend also had parents with a lot of money, but had the body of a porn-star and the posture of a gorilla and a face that would scare children and adults, both. They were both very nasty people. But they were Popular because their parents had money. My parents had money also, but I never aspired to being Popular, and that's where the whole "You are with us, or against us" crap started. I had a personal life to deal with, and teenage angst wasn't figuring-in. These 2 gals started a thing in Junior year, to get me on the Homecoming Queen-thing..and I actually made it...I had no idea. And no, I never deserved it...it was a Ruse, by nasty people. Of course, the beautiful, intelligent, lovely, gracious young Lady that Deserved the crown won it, and I voted for her...she is a lovely person! These two snarky young females thought it would be funny. When the joke did not backfire, they thought they would do another, so they did a "What If" column in the school paper, and asked "What If" (me) were voted Most Popular...wouldn't that be funny? (Yes..I won). I think the kids actually voted me, as that, in a way to tell them to back-off...finally...once and for all..stop being Nasty. I think to the Cosby Show when Vanessa said, to her parents that her friends made fun of her because she was rich...and dad (Bill Cosby) looked at her and said "No...You are not Rich...your Parents are"...that was hilarious. More kids should hear that from their parents!! LOL

T

Clearly, in a normal world, this attractive on the outside; and from the evidence reported, attractive on the inside young lady may well have been chosen to be in the homecoming court. In fact, she probably was. Then a few "popular" kids who were in a snit about NOT being chosen decided to convince everyone it was a put on. Don't believe it. The kids who knew that they too would never be chosen probably got together and made this happen! And the "popular" clique just couldn't STAND it. Hold your head high and ENJOY the night.

Beyond me how social trash can think something like that is funny. Guess they figured the girl wouldn't be able to afford it. Looks like the joke is on the clowns.To top that i bet the one or ones behind it are even uglier on the outside than they are on the inside. A good bullwhip would be a deserving lesson for these losers. Guess everybody needs to find their face book account and tell them what losers and dumb ass's they really are.

Go for it Whitney, you earned and have a good time and keep your head high up , let those clown learn their lesson . Isn't it fantastic that it went contrary what those clowns intended?

A lot of the earlier posters are stating they don't get what the 'prank' was/is.

Let me explain it to those who are a bit baffled by it. The prank is two fold. It is having this girl, who had no inclination for the attention of a homecoming court, to have to go buy a dress, get her hair done up, get a date, and all the pomp and pageantry that is along with it, then get to the election part and not get a single vote or to lose overwhelmingly on all votes. Thereby humiliating her in front of her entire class.

I happen to be very familiar with this, because a similar thing was done to me in Junior High. We didn't have campaigns for student council back in 8th grade. The entire class was just assembled in the auditorium and students were nominated and voted on immediately. A group a kids decided I would be a good mark for this event and nominated me over and over again for every single position. When the vote came I got zero votes, again, and again, and again. The adults involved allowed it to happen over and over and did nothing. Luckily it just cost me 30 minutes of being a laughing stock and no actual money, but it's crap like that which the 'bullied' never forget after they grow up.

I'm just happy that the harsh light of public knowledge has been shined on this situation. Now the tables are being reversed onto the 'pranksters', more like bullies. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets elected home coming queen, which of course the bullies will resent her over.

Quit: You are exactly right. I just turned 50 and I have been asked over the years why I don't want to go to any of the class reunions and my response is always the same "I didn't like them in 1980 so why do I want to see them again now".

Cniht, OK now I get the prank somewhat, but she'd still be buying a dress etc even if she wasn't on the court and I'd be willing to bet at least a handful would have voted for her as she is pretty easy on the eyes (without being creepy about it at all).

Probusiness, you just cited one of the main reasons I always ignore friend requests from many fellow HS students on my FB page: I didn't like them then, what the heck do they think has changed.

The best part of going to class reunions is to see what the popular girls and guys look like now. The guys are usually fat and bald and the women are either dressed like 2 cent crack whores trying to look young again or they have had 3 children and never lost any of the baby weight.

Cniht

A lot of the earlier posters are stating they don't get what the 'prank' was/is.

Let me explain it to those who are a bit baffled by it. The prank is two fold. It is having this girl, who had no inclination for the attention of a homecoming court, to have to go buy a dress, get her hair done up, get a date, and all the pomp and pageantry that is along with it, then get to the election part and not get a single vote or to lose overwhelmingly on all votes. Thereby humiliating her in front of her entire class.

I still am baffled. All this happened before the Homecoming Dance. Just how do schools choose the "court" these days?

When I was in high school, back in the stone ages with manual typewriters and where most people got only three channels on TV (most of it black-and-white; only "fancy people" had color sets where everyone looked green) and we turned knobs to get those three channel (again, only "fancy people" had remote control sets, and those remotes were about the size of a shoe-box today), the court consisted of all the football team members and their dates, and the king was the quarterback and his date was the queen. Sounds very sexist; yes, I know. That's how it was back then. And shortly after the Homecoming Dance, with girls in the finest long-dresses from the Sears or Penney's catalogue (also used for prom) and the boys in multi-colored suits made out of so much polyester they'd go up in flames if any of the kids smoking a cigarette (and most smoked back then, including the guys on the football team) came within 10 feet of them they'd go up in flames, the girls would quickly break up with their boyfriends. They went out with them just to get on the court. That was very common, the motto being "after the dance, then you prance."

The same thing with prom. The king was the president of the junior year class (back then, no one voted for a girl to be president - it just wasn't done) and his date was the queen. The court was the members of the junior-year class student reps (boy and girls, their dates being their consorts). Once again, shortly after prom, the break-ups began.

She missed this opportunity to let her psychokinetic powers loose on the student body and burn down the gym with everyone inside it.

The world just is. Kids single out each other out and persecute each other. It happens *a lot* with kids and adults. It's just that most adults just talk about people behind their backs. It's in our nature. That said, Homecoming royalty is a useless popularity contest and always has been. I don't understand why anyone still does it. Kids nominated unpopular kids as a joke as far back as when I was in highschool 20 years ago...and they apparently did it when Stephen King was a kid too. It's all so very pointless. If I were this girl, I'd go to the dance, accept my crown, and then tell everyone to go **** themselves....I might moon them too...or urinate on the crown.

The world is wonderful actually look how all these people are coming out and standing up with this girl. The world has its bad moments though and these bad moments often overshadow any good in the world, why show good things when bad things bring in more people, this is what the News does to our minds everyday.

PeteMT - you are too funny!!

Umm...Z9338...blah...you were actually making a point, until saying you'd do "what"!? with the crown acceptance!? Ahem No one with any sense of esteem or class would dare moon or urinate...you seemedgood until you added that. And PeteMT and Jenny Jenny...you guys really aren't funny...this is a "real" kiddo-thing...not some crappy movie that couldn't even follow SK"s true storyline..(chuckle). Okay...well maybe you Are Funny. But seriously...for Whitney...

Yes "do away with the whole Queen/King/Princess thing"

That is why I never went to any....And I was the capetian of our football and baseball team. Those dances are for everyone to enjoy and no one should be above another...ever.

Everyone already knows who is popular and who is not. People don't need to be crowned in order to affirm the decision. Just let everyone have fun at the dances. No need to break hearts with a popularity vote.

I dont know, maybe my high school was different, but the most obvious popular kid didnt always win our courts. My senior year, whether it started as a joke (I dont really know) but this kid Will, who was mentally handicapped (cant remember what it's called when your parents drink too much alcohol, fetal alcohol syndrome?? maybe?) and he was nominated as Jr Prince, and everyone - including Will, was absolutely ecstatic about it...he had an amazing night.

And that same year, this girl named Elaine won Queen, and she wasn't really popular at all...but really smart, probably valedictorian (cant remember) but everyone knew who she was...and I think a lot of people, once her name was on the court, cast a vote for her so that "the most popular girls" didn't win.

I wouldnt all be surprised if this girl genuinely wins Queen, not because the joke continues, but because there are enough kids in that school who get picked on, or feel like outsiders because of the popular kids, and are happy to have "one of them" on the court to vote for.

The whole thing is just as corrupt as our government if you're not in or known you aint getting nowhere.

Exactly: We have so much bullying in America, along with violent crime, rape and murder. We need to be asking about the mentality of our culture. Could it be that the America dream of getting and gaining at any cost has turned into a nightmare.

We have used force all over the world to protect banking, corporate and big money interest. We are the biggest and the baddest gang in the world and many want us to be feared. You can bet that most of the world sees us as a major threat to become violent at any minute. If there was a vote on who is the number one terrorist threat we would win it easily and tiny Israel that we support would win second place for trouble making.

Since we are the biggest most powerful gang on earth we have become know as the bully of the planet and we have done much to prove that. So, is it any wonder that some kids growing up with this attitude that power, control and force is desirable and the only way to be, will begin to act out this nightmare. After all, we are told by example that winning is everything.

Strength through peace, cooperation and mutual respect has been turned upside down and become: Peace through strength and domination. This is a fast moving time and technology gets around swiftly. Nobody will dominate like the old empires and if they try they want last long. We desperately need to be a more peaceful nation. We might start by bringing home our troops and giving them all raises. That way we could cut our military budget by half and I'm sure our troops would be glad to defend America. Aggression and forcing your will around the world is a deadly and expensive proposition both in dollars and quality of life.

Are you kidding!? Why is this a story?? A kid got a prank pulled on her in HIGH SCHOOL. There was no violence or even pigs blood involved. Other than a bad die job the kid looks decent so it angers me that there was a need to even "rally" around her at all?

This is high school and people do mean. My concern is that if this isn't understood there, the real world has a whole lot more that awaits. Hopefully she will learn how to pull her own self up by the bootstraps even when no one at all is there to rally.

You definitely need a reality check to think that this behavior is normal and needs to be tolerated in our school systems read my post and then tell me this was innocent

Why is there always someone to try and paint good people bad. What this town has done was a painting of a community who cares. No one should say anything against it. She is precious and I feel sure she is very thankful that people really do care. If you have nothing good to say about something like this , why say anything. This only made you look bad,

This is absolutely silly I fail to see how it was a joke either, shes pretty not sloppy lookong has a great smile. Oh I get it lets find yet another way of overcoddling our children so we can absolutely make sure they have no strengths whatsoever sealing the end of western civilization completely, we have no generation stepping up doing sqaut to keep this country going and my generation is to blame! (I am now 50) My fathers generation was the lAst strength we had as a country of power PERIOD. We may have created and sparked and built the "internet" but it burned out quickly. I strayed fir a moment, sorry !!!!IMPORTANT NOTE TO THE YOUNG LADY!!!! Take all comments you read here with a big bag of salt, not personally ok? and the classmates of yours that intended this as some form of humor tell them to put down the crack pipe!

At this point, I'm guessing that the girl is pulling a prank on everyone else. Looking at her photo, there is no reason why she wouldn't have been nominated anyway. Now if she were fat, had bad teeth, bad acne, whatever, then that would be something else. But right now, I'm hearing a girl tell a "they're picking on me!" sob story, when actually "they" are talking about last night's party.

Been there, had it happen to me.

Bullies are incredible cowards. It takes no courage at all to attack somebody when you have a group to hide behind. If you were to isolate the ring leaders in these groups it would be obvious how spineless they really are. Try getting one of them off by themselves, and see what happens!!

Anyway whoever started this had to have been jealous. Whitney has the most expressive, beautiful eyes. And from what some of the people who knew her have said in these comments, she sounds beautiful inside, too!!

My son, who was a "Jock" in High School, (also an honor student) got involved with a bunch of his "friends" that tried to prank a girl who was very heavy and not considered popular. One of them asked her on a date and he was going to then take her out and leave her stranded somewhere. My son went along at first I think out of peer pressure, but had severe guilt about the whole thing and warned the girl beforehand.

Turns out the girls older brother was a defensive tackle at Rutgers. He had quite the discussion with these young guys. The best part was that my son decided that he much preferred hanging out with his "Nerd" friends (that's how they referred to themselves,) than many of his Jock friends. Don't misunderstand, many of his team mates were fine young people as well. There are always a few that are misguided however.

I have seen schools that have used the homecoming King, Queen and court in a good way too, electing chalanged or others to honor them rather than ridicule them. I think most kids are good, and its the few that create these types of incidents that pollute the system.

I have great faith in our youth, and in our society in general. I think we tend to focus on the negative, whether its in politics of people in general. We need better positive role models from our leaders and especially from parents. Don't let all the spin dictate what we will be.

Hey Whitney....you are a beautiful young women. And if those ignorant low lifes call you their friend.....take my adivse and get new friends. You sure don't them. Surround yourself with happiness and trolls like those will disappear quickly! Have a great time at homecoming!

I hope this teaches the bullies a lesson

The bullies are not always the kids.

There was a girl several years older than me that was very well thought of by everyone and the same thing happened to her. What started as a joke snowballed, changed and became a serious intent by many of the students for her to become the homecoming queen because she was so very well liked.

Administration stepped in and wouldn't allow it. This person was very overweight with a very bad complexion. Couldn't have someone like this representing the school, now could we??? She was crushed and there were a lot of disappointed and angry students over the entire situation.

Whitney's story brought this back to my mind and I hope that her big night is everything that an expectant teenager would hope for unlike the sad and undeserved event that happened to a girl I knew many years ago. She was student's choice and that's how it should have played out.

she be all right if she keeps...moving in the right direction...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zPU-8bsTE&feature=related

nice tune, bob and appropriate for the article.

Cancelling their Homecoming would not serve the purpose, excepting that such action would only show the school admins' giving in to the cowards' actions...
Why punish the deserving students over the actions of a few idiots?

@Chuck, because those few idiots would be ridiculed by the deserving students. 790 against 10 would make that group of 10 feel worse than the 10 against 1. I'm not saying it's the right thing to do, I'm just pointing out that your idea that it would serve no purpose, isn't true.

No, ban the students that pulled this prank from homecoming.

If they want to really stop bullying, how but an expulsion. It is time to take a hard-line against this stuff. Kids who get bullied can become worse than bullies, they can get guns and take it out on everyone. There is no place for this kind of stuff in our schools and society as a whole. And before you say, "Kids will be kids and they will learn their lesson..." I will stop you there. I was bullied in school and know what this kind of stuff is like. My bully tried to run me off the road and damn near killed me and my sister. To this day I have not forgotten his name nor fogiven him for what he did to me and also my sister.

LOL...I agree!

Yes! Expulsion is the answer!

Let the hoodlums run loose in the streets since you've booted them out of school... nice try.

How 'bout

- in school punishment

- not being allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities

- not allowing them to accept any awards or scholarships

- etc... make the bullies suffer IN SCHOOL.

I love what the person above said about making all the girls queen and all the boys king for the night. Stop singling kids out, labeling, creating competition and dissension among kids. Part of the bigger problem created by adults. It's our responsibility as parents to show our children the difference between being superficial and being a real person with real values. So many kids go into the real world without a clue as to how to live an adult life because they were more concerned with being a Homecoming Queen or the most popular kid in class or the girl with the hottest body ... really? Wake up parents and give these babies of ours a fighting chance to live up to realistic expectations about life, love, friendships, hardships, stress!!!! Teenage years are tough enough! I love what this town is doing for this girl and I hope she has a beautiful night with her boyfriend! As to the bullies, just remember, being that ugly will get you nowhere in your lives and all those "friends" who bullied with you aren't really your friends either.

HOWIE...I agree with you but would go one step further...they have to be HOME SCHOOLED BY THEIR PARENTS FOR 4 WEEKS! This means their parents will have to either use their entire vacation or take a leave of absence from their job because they did not teach their children to respect other people and their feelings!

My daughter is nearing 16yrs old and hip deep in fitting-in issues within the social network at her affluent highschool. For several years now I have propped up her emotions and confidence by telling her that those cheerleader/jock types that like to pick on the late bloomers are in for a rude awakening 15 years from now. They will be taking botox/collagen injections and teaching 5th grade PE while you will be educated, travelling, and being true to yourself and 100 percent certain of who your friends are. My daughter is getting smarter and prettier by the day, without a drop of makeup, nail polish or attitude.

As a 42 yr old single dad (for the past 15 years), I can tell you this.....of those geeky/nerdy/plain jane types from my highschool days, all have turned out to be happy, healthy, beautiful in their own ways, and enjoying genuine relationships while they build their own families. Tell your kids to be true to themselves, and the rest of the world will adjust and accept them for who they are, and if they don't, who needs them anyway.

Life is a train, even if people throw rocks at it, it keeps on rolling, so STAY ON THE TRAIN !!!!!!

If only everyone knew the TRUTH about this story. Originally the girl & her mother were fine, just wanted to move on, didn't want the dress, hair, etc. Low & behold, media gets wind, blows it up, and now the girl & mother have their 15 minutes of fame. Yes, it was a prank and those responsible will be punished accordingly. Funny how "fame" will make you change your tune.

Niki'sDad: Keep fighting the good fight! In the long run, both you and your daughter will be better for it. The hardest part of raising teenagers is constantly reminding them: their self worth is of far greater value to them than the popularity that is bestowed upon them by any power clique. "To thine own self be be true" was the best advice I received during my adolescent years, but the mantra "Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable" has been the measure by which I've spent my years.

BTW: I believe the beatitude "the meek shall inherit the earth" should instead say "the geek ..." the bright kids generally are the ones who develop the life skills and talents that lead to true success in the world outside of secondary school, and use the hard lessons they've learned as added motivation to bolster their ambitions.

WhitneyKropp: Seize the moment. Embrace the opportunity. Let it truly be the first day of the rest of your life!

marpadg-Are you a little bitter? What if this was your child? You know what, I doubt you would really be "fine" with it. So they get a little attention, that's better than being made to feel like a fool by a bunch of trolls.

To the people who don't get the prank-

I think the prank was to elect the girl to the homecoming court as a joke, as in "She is too dumb, ugly, whatever to be on the court with us and now we can all laugh at her because she thinks it's real, but we really are just asshats who have no lives and can't wait to tell her it's fake and laugh at her more." If you were her and you found out you would be pretty devastated. What a bunch of jerks and I bet they are the popular, wealthy kids, they usually are. They learn from their deplorable parents.

I guess I am too old to understand how this was funny to them. I hope they gain empathy for others when they grow up because this is a nasty trick and it scares me to think what they would do in the work place.

HONKIES ARE EVIL !!!!!!!!!

Eh, Carrie went to her prom, not homecoming and I don't think this girl had a psycho religious mother.

So funny that many of us immediately thought, "Paging Carrie - meet on stage with bucket of blood and book of matches." That was one bad a$$ movie.

Go to you tube and watch the film trailer " The bully" the movie came out this year. see if your attitude changes

someone had to slam another's beliefs in God. Shame.

Forgive them. They think morality began with Moses.

Couldn't let it go, could you Sandy? Just had to point out the inclusion that offends YOU? Thanks for a beneficial contribution to the thread.

Your right Sandy. I would define "common decency" as treating people justly, i.e., according to what they deserve: one doesn't need a fantasy god for that. I'm glad to see the town turning this experience into a positive one. Maybe the pranksters will even learn a lesson in civics.

Common decency and respect for others is something we all need to work on since our natural inclinations are not always so noble. We all choose our reasons but if someone is willing to make the effort then we should be supportive.

As far as the students who cooked up this scheme, I hope someday they realize what they have done and try to be better people.

The Almighty Sandy and Mel have spoken!

Amen!

Sandy, you must be fun at funerals. "They won't rest in peace, they just rot!"

Geez... Sandy & Mel have yet to figure out that many of our 'basic decencies' in society originated in the Bible.

Sandy: God is good, God is great! Hope I ruined your day.

Homie, our "basic decencies" exsists in human nature, long before the bible was written and in case you didn't read the "Good Book", there are many stories in there that showed how evil humanity was, including those who tortured or killed for God and the centuries of death and destruction in the name of the Holy Church and the kings they worshipped. Many of the bullies I knew in school were bible thumpers who loved to point out that you're unworthy of love or forgiveness if you don't go to their church and get saved, and I wonder why the likes of you ask why the gothic "Satanist" culture was so popular back then. Answer: They were pushed. God is good, God is great, God is empty... Have a nice @!$%#ing day!

Where do you people think common decency came from, then, if not from the Ten Commandments?

Many of the bullies I knew in school were bible thumpers who loved to point out that you're unworthy of love or forgiveness if you don't go to their church and get saved,

If that's what the kids you knew were actually taught at church, then they were going to the wrong church!

Christ taught that everyone is deserving of love and forgiveness just for being a human.

Wow, this commentary is degrading fast. It's only a matter of time now until politics, gay marriage, and abortion start getting tossed around. Opps, I just did. The subject is bullying. I hope this turn out a positive experience for this young lady. She looks confident enough to handle the challenge.

I predict that within a few hours, this thread will dissolve into repeated "Libtard/Teabag" insult exchanges

i think you are a beautiful young lady and will make their so call prom queen look like a frog.always remember that you are also very intelligent. hold your head high and shine like the star you are. be very very proud mom.

Unfortunately, the bullies are often some of the popular kids who get all the spots on the sports teams, student government, school yearbook committees etc and whose parents are intensely involved with the PTA and all the teachers love them. This is why when a parent complains that his or her child was bullied, it depends on who the bully is that can determine the official response. Even school administrators have trouble believing that the kids they have always liked who get good grades and participate in extra curriculas would do something like this.

In a way, I think they did. I'm guessing the bullies put her on the ballot, but a lot of people voted for her just because she was nice--and not one of the "cool kids."

Funny thing about the popular kids in high school...most people don't actually like them.

When my son was in high school, he was always bullied because he was one of those "gentle giants". He was 6ft 3, about 250 lbs and didn't want to play sports. Daily some little thug was pouring mustard down his back, or urine into his locker, that type of thing. I asked him if he ever retaliated, and he said no because he was so much bigger than most of them he was afraid he'd hurt them. He was always interested in photography and was the main photographer for the yearbook his senior year. The editor was a sweet young lady who had been pranked and ridiculed by the "cool" kids for years. When the yearbooks came out after graduation the "cool" kids found out karma can be a B. To say some of the pictures were less than flattering is a huge understatement. (I found some of them to be hysterical). Who do you suppose got the last laugh?

The beauty of life is high school is such a small part of ones existence. Many of the cool kids in high schools do not fare so well in real life as cruel pranks and humiliating others does not play well in the real world not to mention the ill effects of heavy partying. Those 20 yr reunions can be a lot of fun when the worm turns.

That's awesome Marty. Payback is a dog!!

I wonder why so many people seem to think that two wrongs make a right?

Ok I go to this school and the boy that was suppose to go with her has never gone to a single school dance his whole life. It was a joke that the sophmores did. I was not part of this. I am a Freshman so I couldn't vote for her. Plus I wouldn't have voted as a joke. Whitney Kropp is a nice person and I would have done it seriously as a friend.

Because Jabba, sometimes they just do.

That is not a reason. That is an excuse.

Not necessarily true Kjosee. I was bullied to no end in from grade school all the way to high school and it still gets to me. Unfortunately it has had a part of who I am today. A part I don't like very well.

I have to agree justme. I still vividly remember the boy who bullied me for years. His effect on me is still here. I remember specific, distinct events, statements, harrassment.

I was really, deeply pleased when I heard he went to prison.

Amen catinahat, it hasn't been long since I myself graduated, but deep in my heart I know that one day my bullies will get what they deserve. And I don't care if it's wrong to say this, but it sure makes me feel a little better knowing that from here it's downhill for them. :)

You are absolutely wrong. The school is staying quiet as to not add more angst and humuiliation as they bullies already have done. This is exaclty the ultimate form of bullying and every student that participated should be ashamed of themselves.

...and, cue the sad music, Tom. THe bullies haven't given any additional thought to their actions. They'll keep doing the same things, and amounting to nothing in life.

agreed Homie D Clown, as anyone who has dealt with bullies their entire life can tell you, these bullies don't dont care who they hurt, they don't care what they cause, they don't care about the punishment, they dont care about anything! These people torment people that mind their own business simply because they exsist! and there is no winning, you can't fight back because you'll get into trouble for defending yourself, and you cant tell the teachers because they cant stop them either and the bullies know that! i bet they'd care if they were simply expelled for such acts, that would solve alot i believe. It would give the bullies a good reason to NOT to bully, and bullies that refused to fall in line would be gone the next day. and the school would run much smoother without anyone left to cause trouble too.

Go to you tube, and watch the video " bully" 2012 by the weinstein company, It will break your heart, I too was bullied. Facebook is great, got a glimpse of her now, 36 years later, she is the same evil person she was then. My life and hers are completely different. I graduate soon with a BS degree in criminolgy and she has a GED, and a broken marriage ( who could live with that woman?), and makes 8.50 an hour ( according to her facebook) I am happily married, and have 5 great kids, and a very good life, but what she did to me in school almost destroyed me.

Oh Rick that would be perfect! Just the sirt of story to end up on the today show!! AWE I hope!

I just went to my 20th and we were all pretty much the same people. Me and the other cool kids got drunk and laid and we didn't bother talking to the people that weren't cool.

i didn't go to my tenth year reunion...stayed in my van down by the river...smoking doobie...