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When you need something strong, flexible, and sticky, there’s not much that comes in more handy than good old duct tape. Originally used in the military and construction industry, duct tape now has a prime spot in popular culture. Sure, it’s still used to fix stuff, but it’s also used for everything from making belts and wallets to removing warts. One recent participant on the Discovery network show Naked and Afraid chose a roll of teal duct tape as his lone survival item, and crafted a bikini for his modest partner, among other things.
That teal bikini doesn’t even come close to the outfits contestants in the 16th Annual Duck® brand Stuck at Prom® Scholarship Contest designed.
The high school students spent months dreaming, planning, and crafting the perfect prom attire from duct tape, and now the contest finalists have been announced and voting is open to the public. The students from across the U.S. and Canada spent countless hours creating big and bold, one-of-a-kind prom apparel in hopes of winning their share of more than $50,000 in scholarship prizes.
This is the 16th year a panel of judges has carefully reviewed and evaluated each submission for workmanship, originality, use of colors, accessories, and use of Duck Tape®. This year’s finalists featured intricate designs and artistry that set them apart from the rest of the entries and blew the judges away.
“I was in complete awe when I saw these stunning ensembles,” said Ashley Luke, category manager, at ShurTech Brands, LLC, the company that markets the Duck® brand. “It’s extraordinary how much detail and creativity the students put into their Duck Tape® prom outfits. We want to recognize these creative individuals for their hard work and passion for Duck Tape®, and hope that the more than $50,000 in scholarship prizes encourages them to pursue their dreams.”
The Top 10 couples are:
- Kiana Mata, 17, of Rome, GA and Fernando Espinal, 20, of Calhoun, GA
- Heather Rahl, 18, and Sean Devers, 18, of Apex, NC
- Winter Wilson, 18, of Athens, OH, and Claire DeBruin, 18, of Millfield, OH
- Noah Pleiman, 17, and Jenna Frantz, 17, of Versailles, OH
- Angie Pohle, 16, and Matthew Ocampo, 18, of San Jose, CA
- Galicia Fryzlewicz, 17, and Gunnar Fryzlewicz, 16, of Kane, PA
- Alexis Meeker, 17, of Export, PA, and Carson Wolff, 16, of Murrysville, PA
- Couple 8: Claire Krueger, 17, of Novi, MI, and Julie Vu, 17, of Northville, MI
- Couple 9: Ruth Nyesuah, 16, and Jedidiah Gatei, 17, of Philadelphia, PA
- Couple 10: Olga Sigmundson, 17, and David Shamis, 14, of Lafayette, CA
The Top 5 singles entries are:
- Nina Chang, 18, of Fremont, CA
- Chelisia McBean, 18, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
- McKenzy Crow, 18, of De Smet, SD
- Michelle Simba, 17, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Kenisha George, 14, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
The Grand Prize winners will each receive a $10,000 scholarship, the second place students will each receive $5,000, and third place winners will each receive $3,000. The remaining seven “runner up” couples will each receive a $1,000 prize. Additionally, the Singles Category winner will receive a $1,000 prize.
View all of the 2016 Stuck at Prom® finalists and vote for your favorite prom outfits online. Make sure you check back on July 13 to see who the public has crowned as this year’s best Duck Tape® designers!
