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Two high school students, Monica Walsh and Isaac Cervantes, transformed duct tape into stunning prom outfits and won $15,000 each in the 2024 Duck Brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. 
Monica Walsh from Dryden, Ontario, crafted a vibrant prom dress using 13 rolls of Duck Brand Tape, winning the “Grand Prize Dress” title. Isaac Cervantes from Pilot Point, Texas, created a striking blue tuxedo, earning him the “Grand Prize Tux” title.
Walsh, who recently graduated, spent 126 hours on her dress. “I’ve never used Duck Tape to make a full outfit, and it took a lot more time than I thought due to the intricate details in my dress,” she shared with Fox News Digital via email. Inspired by artist Romero Britto, Walsh aimed to push prom fashion boundaries with her colorful and patterned design. She expressed her excitement upon winning, saying, “My jaw dropped immediately when I found out.”
Walsh plans to use her scholarship to attend Lakehead University in Ontario, where she will study education to become a chemistry teacher.
Cervantes, who isn’t sure exactly how many hours he spent on his tuxedo, worked on it every Sunday with his mom. “My mom and I love working on small arts and crafts projects, but a suit was definitely a challenge,” he said. Cervantes drew inspiration from his Mexican American heritage and Christian culture. “We thought about how a monarch butterfly travels between countries to start their families, representing my parents’ journey.”
Cervantes used 16 rolls of Duck Tape for his tuxedo and plans to use his scholarship for tuition at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where he will begin studying in the fall. “I am absolutely thankful to God, family, and friends for this amazing opportunity,” he said.
Kerry Haugh, director of product marketing at Shurtape Technologies, LLC, noted that this year’s competition featured the biggest prizes yet. “With larger cash scholarships and new categories, we’re ensuring talented teens have more opportunities to be rewarded for their creativity, inspirational stories, and fashion-forward style,” she said.
Walsh and Cervantes submitted their designs to the 24th annual Duck Brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest, where public votes determined the winners. In addition to the grand prizes, runner-up outfits received $1,000, and awards were given in categories such as “Most Runway Worthy” and “Trust E’s Choice.” Cervantes also won in the “Most Inspiring” category.