They say that "a picture is worth a thousand words," but it might be worth cold, hard cash in hand for high school students with winning photos in the Stuck at Prom college scholarship contest. For those who are creative and looking for unusual ways to earn money for higher education, this may be the scholarship of choice as couples design, create, and wear prom clothing and accessories made out of duct tape.
How Does the Stuck at Prom Contest Work?
Students who are 14 years old and older who are legal residents of the United States or Canada may enter the contest. Residents of District of Columbia may enter, but those residing in Puerto Rico or the Province of Quebec are not eligible for this contest.
Two individuals, a couple, must attend a school-sanctioned prom between March 1 and June 7, 2010 (other dates for other years) wearing original copyright-free attire they have created using duct tape. The couple submits an entry form along with a high resolution picture highlighting their prom attire fashioned in duct tape. The clothing may be entirely made of tape or may cover existing clothing. The picture may be made by an amateur or professional.
Those considered for the top ten awards will be required to mail in the prom clothing and accessories so that judges can evaluate the pieces. Entries will be judged according to criteria below, and the ten entries with the highest scores will be posted on the Stuck at the Prom web site.
Visitors to the official Stuck at the Prom web site will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite entry with a limit of one vote per email address per day from June 18, 2010 through July 26, 2010 (other dates for other years). Each week, the two entries with the lowest number of valid votes will be eliminated from the competition beginning on June 30, 2010.
Prizes include a cash award for each person in the couple and the school sponsoring the prom based on the number of votes with the following prize amounts awarded to each:
- $3,000 for First Place
- $2,000 for Second Place
- $1,000 for Third Place
- $500 for the seven Runners Up
Entries with a tied number of votes will submit their answers to the tie breaker question, which is “How to you plan on using Duck brand duct tape in college?”
What Makes a Winning Entry in the Stuck at Prom Scholarship?
According to the official web site, judges of the Stuck at Prom contest examine the top entries based on five factors:
- Workmanship (30%)
- Originality (25%)
- Use of color (15%)
- Accessories (10%)
- Quantity of duct tape used (10%)
The use of Duck brand duct tape is not required, and students must purchase their own tape.
Those who are imagining a couple wrapped in gray duct tape appearing like mummies need not worry – a duck-style tux and dress can actually be colorful and amazingly unique limited only by the large array of duct tape colors now available and the imagination. Previous winning entries incorporated unusual ideas, such as a peacock theme or even a Gone with the Wind style complete with a duct tape umbrella. Top hats, corsages, walking sticks and more decorated with duct tape have added whimsy and interest to past year’s entries.
Stuck at Prom Offers College Scholarship and High School Fund Raiser
Arriving at the high school prom dressed in duct tape is a memory sure to be shared for years to come. With imagination, several rolls of colorful duct tape and lots of patience, high school students have a unique opportunity to help fund their college education as well as provide extra cash for their high school.
Students who enter the Stuck at the Prom college scholarship contest may wish to add to the offbeat experience by foregoing a traditional after prom trip to Disney World or the beach by trying something unusual like camping in a tree house, riding a hot air balloon, or vacationing in a tipi. These students may also wish to give back to the community by looking at a service project to honor local veterans, who might have some great prom memories of their own. Readers may also want to prepare for higher learning by learning tips for becoming a successful online student.
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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