As the price tag on a college education continues to rise, students are seeking out a variety of financial aid options to relieve the burden.
There are several unique scholarships out there, but one sticks out year after year for giving creative teens an outlet to showcase their design talents for a shot at big scholarship dollars. While many teens missed out on the opportunity to attend prom in person this year, that didn’t stop them from crafting one-of-a-kind prom-wear masterpieces to enter the annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest.
Read on to learn more about the designers facing off for $20,000 in prizes, then head over to www.stuckatprom.com to vote for your favorites!
Dress Finalists:
Ainsley Dunning.
Dunning of Bristol, Va. spent 81 hours crafting her entry using 14 rolls of Duck Tape. Her look was inspired by the night sky. The beautiful aura that surrounds the moon on cloudy nights is reflected on the skirt, and delicate constellations shine through star mesh sleeves and tape jewelry.
Anna Knall.
Knall of Palm Desert, Calif., spent 40 hours crafting her entry using 10 rolls of Duck Tape. The idea behind her vibrant design was sparked by her late grandmother’s favorite flower, the peony, and her school’s “Rose Garden” prom theme, illustrating beauty, optimism and serenity.
Lena Hart.
Hart of Ayr in Ontario, Canada, spent 146 hours crafting her entry using 12 rolls of Duck Tape. Combining two prom-inspired designs she created for a fashion class, the resulting classic princess pink dress with popping white roses and shiny gold details evolved into a regal, yet fun look.
Peyton Manker.
Manker of Sparta, Ill., spent 395 hours crafting her entry out of 41 rolls of Duck Tape. From doctors and grocery workers to classmates experiencing a virtual graduation, Manker’s ball gown pays tribute to those whose lives have been affected by the pandemic.
Zipporah Wills.
Wills of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. spent 120 hours crafting her entry using 20 rolls of Duck Tape. Her “Quaran’teen’ Queen!” masterpiece, inspired by the historical events impacting the class of 2020, exhibits the importance of following pandemic protocols while remembering to stop and smell the roses.
Tux Finalists:
Ashton Cordisco.
Cordisco of Marietta, Ga. spent 80 hours crafting his entry using 27 rolls of Duck Tape. He set out to create his own piece of wearable modern art incorporating as many colors as possible, and paid his respects to late masterpiece artists in this classy, fun and unique design.
Courtney Barber.
Barber of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif. spent 90 hours crafting her entry using nine rolls of Duck Tape. She was inspired to make a tux by Marlene Dietrich, a famous actress who broke norms by wearing suits and tuxedos in the 1930s. The pattern, theme and macramé rope were styled after her late grandmother’s quilting patchwork.
Erick Friend.
Friend of Missouri City, Texas spent 105 hours crafting his entry using 25 rolls of Duck Tape. Inspired by his Asian heritage, all the details, including culturally symbolic dragons and roses, were hand drawn and hand cut, and he put the finishing touch on his design by writing the word “prom” in Chinese with tape.
Joshua O’Halla.
O’Halla of Rocky River, Ohio spent 96 hours crafting his entry using 20 rolls of Duck Tape. Wanting to pay homage to his best moments and the beauty of summer, its details celebrate memories made growing up near Lake Erie, including the Cleveland skyline on the lake, watching fireworks and spotting wildlife.
Larry Inniss III.
Inniss III of Freeport, N.Y, spent 43 hours crafting his entry using 25 rolls of Duck Tape. He was inspired by his school’s knight mascot and the strength the world has shown in the fight against coronavirus. Using school colors, maroon and blue, details include shoulder and knee armor, a shield, gauntlet and a face mask.
(StatePoint)
