WEST BRANCH, MI

— Ogemaw Heights High School sophomore Whitney Kropp faced a packed stadium at halftime, standing on the field during the homecoming ceremony as her class representative.

At Kropp's side was Josh Awrey, the class of 2015's male representative.

Kropp was selected to the West Branch high school's homecoming court earlier this month as a prank by her classmates.

After the ceremony, Kropp said that she was glad she decided to remain on court. She was initially unsure whether she would attend the homecoming game after learning her election was a mean-spirited joke.

Kropp and the other court members rode in the back of pickup trucks around the track to the field, waiting for the king and queen to be crowned. The stadium cheered when the homecoming king was named, a senior with Downs Syndrome.

Sixteen-year-old Kropp said that she was thankful for the support she received in the wake of her nomination.

She has advice for other people are are the victims of bullying.

"I would tell them to be brave," Kropp said. "Look where it got me."

The Ogemaw Heights High School stadium was packed with students, parents, alumni and supporters. Many dressed in orange — Kropp's favorite color — to honor her at the game.

A number of news organizations also attended the game, including The Detroit Free Press, CNN and The Detroit News.

Donny Winter, a friend of Kropp, posted a YouTube video of her Sept. 15 that has more than 30,000 views.

"I was outraged when I heard what happened," Winter said. "Whitney is a dear friend, and I'm very protective of her."

Winter said that he understood the pain she felt. A 2007 Ogemaw Heights High School graduate, Winter was also bullied.

"Public humiliation is the worse kind of bullying," Winter said. "She is such a kind person, and this more than a cinderella story, it's about spreading awareness about bullying that happens all of the time."

Following the ceremony, Bernice Kropp, Whitney Kropp's mother, said she was very proud of her daugher.

The Ogemaw Falcons were victorious against the Cadillac Vikings.