Subject of apparent school prank in spotlight, not 1st bullying claim for school district

A 16-year-old girl who was named to a Michigan high school homecoming court as part of an apparent prank is expected to be in the spotlight this weekend.

Whitney Kropp's story has drawn wide interest and support from around the country.

Businesses pitched in with a dress and other offers to get her ready for Saturday's dance at Ogemaw Heights High School.

And orange T-shirts are being sold with the slogan, "It's not cool to be cruel."

Kropp has said she felt betrayed after some of her classmates suggested that her selection announced this month at the 800-student school was a joke.

The same school district Kropp attends, settled a 2009 bullying claim involving another student.

MLive.com reports a student claimed she was bullied beginning in November 2009 after she came out as a lesbian.

A federal discrimination lawsuit against West Branch Rose City Area Schools was settled last year.

The settlement says the district would make anti-bullying efforts.

Board of Education President Richard Bachelder said there was no common link between the two stories.

Kropp, is to appear at Friday night's homecoming football game for the West Branch high school after the community rallied around the sophomore.