I'm 17, but this might translate.
People picked on me all the time, but nowadays they don't go out of their way to do it anymore because I've sort of... "merged" my furriness with their common hobbies.
At gym, I usually sat on the sidelines while the others ran back and forth practically tackling each other for the ball. I decided my P.E. grade wasn't going to get better the way I was doing it, so I hopped up and started playing. They shoved me, elbowed me, said things, and eventually ran out things to use against me. They actually started to pass me the ball. So, I played that game, then the next few. About a week later, I entered the gym and sat down, and the others were about to start the game. It kinda suprised me when they asked why I wasn't playing.
Now, we're not buddies walking home together, but they at least respect my boundaries, and the word will spread.
Try out and I'll see if I can come up with some more advice