Tiny West Branch, MI Comes Together in a BIG Way for Bullied Teen

Showing you America and Americans is what this blog is all about.

On this day we focus on a small town in Michigan that exemplifies the American Spirit in coming together as a community when one of its young citizens is almost pushed to her limits by some of her not-so-nice peers.

Today, we salute West Branch, Michigan, 140 miles northwest of Detroit.

The Story

For all the bad stories we hear each day about what is happening in and to the United States, a story like the one you are about to read from the Huffington Post comes along and restores your faith in American values, Americans in general (Michiganders in particular) and what it means to live in the Greatest Country in the World.

UPDATE: As of September 25, 3 pm, the Support Whitney Kropp Facebook page has 55,000 likes.
In what is possibly the most heartwarming story of the week, an entire community in Michigan has come out in support of a bullied teen.
Whitney Kropp was ecstatic when she heard she was nominated for homecoming court at Ogemaw Heights High in West Branch, Mich., My Fox Detroit reports.
The high school sophomore had been bullied in the past for her black clothing and multicolored hair, and was looking forward to being able to represent her school.
But her enthusiasm quickly turned to embarrassment when her classmates told her that she was only nominated as a prank by the school's most popular students. The boy who was nominated to be her escort had already withdrawn from the court.

"I had actually reached a point where I had thought about suicide," Kropp told WNEM-TV. "I thought I wasn't worthy at Ogemaw Heights at all."
Instead of allowing Kropp to be defeated by the bullies, the small farm community rallied around her, convincing her to attend homecoming despite the joke.
Several business in the town volunteered to buy Kropp dinner, take her picture, do her hair and nails, and dress her in a stunning red gown and heels for the big day.
"It really touched me. I can't believe that kids can be so mean and ruthless," Champagne, a nail technician at Whit's End Hair Studio, told Detroit News. "In high school, everything means everything to you. You don't realize that none of it will matter after you leave."
For the pre-dance football game on Friday night, residents have promised to pack the stands to ensure Kropp gets a standing ovation when her name is announced at half-time.
Kropp is taking the opportunity to stand up against bullying.
The 'Support Whitney Kropp' Facebook page, created by a stranger on her behalf, quickly got 3,500 "likes," far exceeding the entire West Branch population of 2,100. The page is dedicated to raising awareness about high school bullying and posting tips about how to overcome it.
"This was something that was really awful, could have ended awful, and because so many people came together, it just turned right around," Bernice Kropp, Whitney's mother, told WNEM-TV.
"Going to homecoming to show them that I'm not a joke," the teen wrote on Facebook. "Im a beautiful person and you shouldn't mess with me!"

You have just witnessed America the Beautiful.

Well done, West Branch. Well done indeed.

***Thanks to HuffPo for allowing me to re-print their entire article.***

Escape the Heat Wave! Visit Michigan or North Dakota!

With record setting heat engulfing much of the country, I thought today we'd take a look at places in the USA that would be a welcomed vacation from the oppressive heat.

Sit back, grab a cold glass of lemonade and grab a pen and paper so you can take some notes on some outstanding vacation spot that are sure to make you forget about the oven you just escaped from.

Michigan

• How about a canoe raft or kayak down down the cool waters of a Michigan river? Michigan.org tells us "Of the 120 major rivers in Michigan, The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has designated 16 as “Natural Rivers ” to help preserve, protect and enhance the finest systems for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. Among them are the Two Hearted River and the Fox River, both located in the Upper Peninsula. In the Lower Peninsula the Au Sable River provides excellent canoeing and kayaking, as well as wildlife viewing, not far from Interstate 75." 

To learn more about cool summer fun in the Upper or Lower Peninsulas , click on the official travel guide of Michigan - Michigan.org.

North Dakota  

• From adventures to zoos, North Dakota has much to offer for vacation fun. North Dakota has also been named the "Friendliest State in the US" bu Cambridge University as well as the most affordable state in which to vacation by the AAA.
• Here's a short list of some fun things to consider when visiting North Dakota from ndtourism.com
  
  
  
  
   Does your family like to golf? We've got 124 courses and you can play all weekend for less than a single-round in other states.  Check out the Jack Hoeven Wee Links course where kids can play for just $1.
  Does your family like history? We've got dinosaurs, forts, earthlodges, museums and legends like Theodore Roosevelt, Lewis and Clark, Sakakawea, Sitting Bull and Gen. Custer.
  Is your family adventurous? North Dakota has mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fossil digs, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, waterparks, skiing and snowmobile trails.
  Does your family like nightlife? You'll enjoy concerts, shopping, dining, semi-pro sports and festivals. And nothing beats camping under millions of stars.
  Does your family love animals? There are more wildlife refuges here than any other state, four zoos, a National Buffalo Museum with live herd, including three albino buffalo ... and much, much more. 

Michigan and North Dakota are great vacation destinations for anybody, with tons of family and outdoors recreation as well. When you get there be sure to mention The Lower 48 (Plus 2)!

And remember, to get a FREE Michigan or North Dakota travel guide, look in the right side barn and click on the "Free Travel Guides" link.