AVON — For Cole Davis and Gabrielle Miller, their high school prom featured a different theme this year -- duct tape.
”We couldn’t walk two steps without somebody trying to talk to us or they thought it was so cool that they wanted to get a picture,” Davis said. “That was so cool at prom.”
The event was a perfect fit for the two, as they both seek ways of expressing themselves in the arts.
”We heard it through word of mouth and we’re both interested on taking on tasks and things like that,” Davis said. “We’re both supporters of the arts and we’re both into jewelry, painting, drawing. This was just something that we were able to express ourselves with.”
The duo has been selected as a national finalist in the Duck Tape Scholarship contest, titled “Stuck at Prom.” The first-prize winners will each receive $5,000; second-place winners will receive $4,000 each; and third-place winners will receive $3,000 each.
Davis and Miller said it was a nice moment when they learned that they had made the contest’s top 10.
”It was a huge burden off of our shoulders,” Davis said. “It was kind of stressful, looking at all of the competition online. We were feeling confident, but it’s all in what the judges see in the detail.”
Davis is pleased to have the opportunity to represent Avon, as well as the state this year in the national competition.
”We’re the only couple, not only from Avon, but from Indiana, left in it,” he said. “It feels pretty good. It’s like putting Avon on the map, so to speak, for something other than band.”
Davis said that the creation of his suit and Miller’s dress took about six months, although he admitted that they took their time to enjoy the process.
”For my suit, it was kind of just trial and error,” he said. “I tried a lot of things. I ended up buying a jacket at Goodwill and just taping over it.”
The dress, however, took a good deal of more work.
”For the dress, we tried taping over a dress, but the tape wasn’t flexible and just flat,” Davis said. “We went to Hobby Lobby and got a pattern. We made fabric out of duct tape and sewed it together.”
However the competition turns out, Davis said creating the outfits and participating has been a great experience.
Voting continues through July 11.
”The competition is quite stiff,” Davis said. “It would be great to have the local community, as well as Indianapolis, to help support us.”
To vote for Indiana’s representatives, visit the website at www.stuckatprom.com.
ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
