Look into quirky college scholarships
Some high school students dream about making a big fashion statement at prom. But instead of buying a new formal dress or a tux with all the flashy touches, they plan to stick with duds designed with Duck Tape — lots of Duck Tape.
The payoff for their creativity and stick-to-itiveness? A chance at winning a $15,000 college scholarship, courtesy of the annual Duck brand “Stuck at Prom” scholarship contest.
The Duck brand contest — now in its 24th year — is far from the only offbeat scholarship opportunity offered by businesses, nonprofits and trade organizations.
For example, if you’re a natural redhead, there’s a scholarship for you. Same with studious southpaws, ice cream lovers and Star Trekkers.
Rewarding unique skill sets
But the Duck brand contest, sponsored by Shurtape Technologies of Avon, Ohio, takes quirkiness to another level.
The contest officially got underway March 27 and runs through June 5.
It is aimed at high school juniors and seniors “who often find themselves caught in the cookie-cutter world of scholarship applications,” according to promotional material.
“While traditional scholarships reward the highest GPA or exceptional athletic ability, others require applicants to answer standard essay prompts, which may not capture that individual’s unique skill set.”
Over the years, more than 8,000 students have used more than 100,000 rolls of Duck Tape to create their outfits, with more than $500,000 in scholarships being awarded.
In 2023, there were about 200 entries from the United States and Canada. Los Angeles teen Karla Torres Tejada won top marks in the dress category, earning $10,000.
She worked 120 hours on her gown, using 14 rolls of tape for a design that she said was inspired by 18th-century French art.
Ian Hernandez Royas of Taylorsville, Utah, took top honors for the best tuxedo. His design, inspired by Aztec and Mayan culture, required 11 rolls of tape and 57 hours of design time.
Be original, use your own tape
This year, organizers have made changes, with new categories and more prize money. Grand-prize winners will receive $15,000 while each of the eight runner-up prizes have been bumped up to $1,000 from $500.
Three new categories have been added — with $1,000 Judges’ Choice awards.
Judging criteria is based on originality, accessories, use of colors, workmanship and, of course, using Duck brand tape.
Applicants must supply their own tape, although runners-up receive $100 in Duck brand prize packets. Winners will be announced in mid-July.
If tape is not your thing but ice cream is, consider the Flavor of the Month Scholarship sponsored by Unigo.com.
The essay question to be answered in 250 words or less: “If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be?” The contest ends July 31, and the winner of the $1,500 scholarship will be announced in October.
Quirky yes, but who knows, with the delays in processing FAFSA documents this year, one of these scholarships just might plug a hole in your college financing plans.