From Prank to Princess

Sophomore Whitney Kropp was siting in her geometry class on September 13th when the results of the homecoming voting were announced. She is not one of the popular girls in the small Michigan town a ways down the road from me. Imagine her shock when her name was called.

Total shock.

Then happiness.

But soon this darling girl realized it was all just a big, bullying prank.

Classmates elected her as a joke and planned to laugh and boo when she was announced as class rep at the big game.

But her town has come to her rescue. Instead of letting her be laughed at, booed and humiliated when she walks out on the field this Friday at halftime, they are making sure she is treated like a princess.

An account was set up to cover her expenses for a dress, shoes, hair, flowers, etc…. But it wasn’t needed. Countless businesses in town offered to donate services, money and the items needed.

The incident has prompted many from the town to talk about their own high school bullying experiences, some going back as far as  the 1960’s.

A fan page on Facebook was created that has already drawn over 80,000 likes.

Her town of West Branch only has 2,100 people!

And those townsfolk are planning to show up to the game in masses to fill the concrete bleachers with posters and t-shirts (in Whitney’s favorite color of orange) and cheer like crazy to drown out any of the taunts and jeers of the students.

In an age of cruelty, looks-are-everything emphasis and young girls feeling they don’t measure up, I am thankful this town has stepped up to the plate to show sweet Whitney she is beautiful and loved and treasured.

JUST. THE. WAY. SHE. IS.

Oh precious Whitney, may you and ALL teen girls know you are beautiful, loved and treasured by God.

He thinks you are a princess.

“The king is enthralled by your beauty;  honor him, for he is your lord.” Psalm 45:11

*Would you take a moment to head over and “Like” Whitney’s fan page? Click here to do so. And if you have a teen girl who struggles with feeling unloved, check out my friend Lynn Cowell’s two books for teen girls (including her just released devotional) by clicking here.