Sequoyah Students Wear Duct Tape to Prom

This past weekend, seniors Abby Hermes and Chris Martin challenged the notion that all prom dresses and tuxedos look alike.

They bypassed the traditional gown and suit and strolled into the on Saturday night in clothes made completely out of duct tape.

"People didn't believe it was all made out of duct tape," Hermes said. "They would come up to us at the prom and touch it and were just filled with awe."

While researching scholarship opportunities last fall, she came across a competition offered by Duck brand. The Stuck at Prom 2011 Scholarship Contest requires that couples attend a school-sanctioned prom and wear attire made of duct tape.

Hermes, an art student, was drawn to the contest as it allowed her to express her individuality.

It also made her and Martin eligible for a chance at the grand prize: a $10,000 college scholarship.

Hermes designed her cocktail-length dress based upon a musical conductor's tuxedo with tails, decorated with musical notes in black, white and purple duct tape. For the tuxedo, she created a jacket, vest, pants and tie.

Contest guidelines specified the need for duct tape accessories as well, so Hermes fashioned Martin's pocket square and boutonnière, plus her own corsage, hat, bracelet, necklace and purse entirely from duct tape.

She also designed shoes for both of them, using cardboard for the soles and duct tape for the uppers.

Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

All entries must be designed and created by the couple.

The deadline to enter is June 13.

ShurTech Brands, the sponsor of the Duck brand prom competition, will select 10 finalists. Pictures of the finalists will be posted online for public voting, which will take place June 17 through July 11.