Oklahoma teens turn duct tape prom dresses into $1,000 scholarships

Two Oklahoma high school students have received national recognition and $1,000 each for their prom dress designs made entirely out of duct tape.

Teens Craft Their Way to the Top

Kathryn Lermy of Broken Arrow and Brittany Blackwell of Oklahoma City were named among the top 10 finalists in the 2025 Duck® Brand “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship Contest. The nationwide competition challenges teens to design and wear full prom outfits using only duct tape — rewarding creativity, craftsmanship and a strong public campaign.

$1,000 Scholarship and National Recognition

Both Lermy and Blackwell will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship and a Duck® Brand prize pack valued at $100. Their designs stood out among hundreds submitted by students across the U.S. and Canada.

“Each of the finalists poured creativity and heart into crafting unique outfits that tell their story,” said Kerry Haugh, director of product marketing for Shurtape Technologies, the company behind the Duck® brand. “Every finalist brought something inspiring to the table.”

Grand Prize Winners Take Center Stage

While Lermy and Blackwell made Oklahoma proud, two other teens claimed the top honors.

Emmalyn Holland of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, won the $15,000 Grand Prize Dress award with a voluminous hot pink gown that took 176 hours and 31 rolls of duct tape to complete. Her design features a layered ruffle skirt, handmade jewelry and a crown — all out of tape.

“This dress is more than just pink and pretty,” Holland said. “It represents my journey of reclaiming femininity and rooting my identity in faith.”

Nicholas Moore of Mooresville, North Carolina, won the Grand Prize Tux category with a music-themed tuxedo crafted from 42 rolls of tape. The design features duct tape depictions of the instruments Moore has learned to play — including trumpets, French horns and baritones — representing his years in band and musical theater.

“My tuxedo is inspired by my love of music and the instruments that I play,” Moore said.

A Celebration of DIY Fashion

The “Stuck at Prom” contest marked its 25th year in 2025, inviting teens across the U.S. and Canada to showcase their skills in design, crafting and storytelling — all through the unconventional medium of duct tape.

This year’s other finalists include students from California, New York, Michigan, Georgia and Ontario, Canada.

To see the full list of winners and their designs, visit Duck Brand's website.