By Maddy Anand, Packet Media Group
Most people use duct tape to fix things – these two Princeton High seniors used it to create prom outfits.
Margot Shumaker and Jordan Hunter are scholarship finalists in the Duck Brand’s Stuck at Prom competition for creating their prom outfits entirely out of duct tape. With 30 rolls of duct tape and a total of 192 hours of work, the two made everything from their clothes down to their accessories from duct tape.
Ms. Shumaker has been a long-time fan of duct tape and said her interest started in elementary school. She found out about the competition during this phase and has wanted to enter for a while. She decided to act on it this year because she finally had the time to commit. However, she still needed to find a partner.
“Margot just came up to me during the cross country banquet and said ‘Hey, how do you feel about duct tape?’” explained Mr. Hunter. They then began planning out their outfits and officially started working in March.
Mr. Hunter’s tie, cuff links and shirt were made entirely out of duct tape. “I think it gave me an edge that I didn’t wear a cloth shirt,” he said.
Ms. Shumaker’s earrings, shoes and purse, as well as both their corsages were also made of duct tape. “I had the most fun with the accessories,” Ms. Shumaker said. “I finished them before I even finished the dress.”
They made the accessories and rose corsages in red and gold to compliment their predominantly black and white attire.
They also incorporated teardrops and lace into everything they could, making their outfits intricate and cohesive. “Margot and I are very picky about certain things,” Mr. Hunter said about the precision with which they made their outfits.
They were inspired by a small model paper dress that Ms. Shumaker had made for art class. “I loved that dress so much and I really wanted to wear it,” she said.
They finished their outfits just in time for Princeton High prom on May 22, 2015. “When we were at prom, people came up to us to see and ask us about it, people that I’d never spoken to before,” said Mr. Hunter. “People usually respond supportively,” added Ms. Shumaker. “Whenever you make a dress out of unconventional materials, you have to plan for the worst, but everything stayed together throughout prom.”
Ms. Shumaker said she was so excited when she was first contacted about being in the Top 10 that she woke up Hunter just to tell him.
The grand prize is $10,000 for each contestant as well as $5,000 for Princeton High School.
You can vote for Margot Shumaker and Jordan Hunter once per day at http://www.stuckatprom.readysetpromo.com/vote-gp.html?__entry=5927777. Voting will close July 8.
