LIFE

Pendleton pair's duct tape prom outfits in U.S. finals

Dana Hunsinger Benbow

dana.benbow@indystar.com

Madeline Harris, 17, of Pendleton, Ind., and Aaron Porter, 18, of Markleville, Ind. used 28 rolls and duct tape and spent 315 hours on their flag-themed prom attire.

Aaron Porter needed duct tape for a school project in eighth grade. When he finished, much of the roll was left.

Silly to waste it, so he went online to see what creations he could craft.

The hobby stuck — big time.

For his prom at Pendleton Heights High School last month, Porter, 18, crafted his entire tux out of duct tape. His date, Madeline Harris, 17, did the same for her full-length sleeveless gown.

The creation landed them in the final 10 of a national competition put on by Duck Tape. A panel of judges, including "Project Runway" Season 11 winner Michelle Lesniak, picked the top 10.

The two used 28 rolls of duct tape and spent 315 hours on their flag-themed prom attire. They started in February and worked on the outfits night after night and weekend after weekend.

They first had to make sheets of material by crafting duct tape together. They then cut out the patterns.

Everything they wore was made entirely out of duct tape, even the boning of Harris' corset and the necklace.

Seems the two work quite well together, but they aren't a couple, just great friends. Porter had the idea for the duct tape prom and needed a partner.

"I'm kind of the artsy person at Pendleton," Harris said.

Now the two are in the running to be crowned the grand winners and to each receive a $10,000 scholarship. People can vote here once a day through July 8.

That should come in handy. Porter is going to Indiana University to major in informatics. Harris, of Pendleton, is attending Chapman University in California for her undergraduate degree. She then wants to go to the California Institute of Art to major in directing.

For now, they're just rallying friends and family for their duct tape votes.

"It feels fantastic to be in the top 10," said Porter.

Take a look at the nine other competitors.

Kechantra Ward, 17, and Jeffery Patton, 16, of Senatobia, Miss.

• Rolls of tape: 28

• Hours spent: 102

• Cool creation tidbit: The dress has a detachable skirt that turns it into a short prom dress for more energetic dancing.

Gabrielle Farina, 19, of Pinckney, Mich., and Ryan Danko, 18, of Lakeland, Mich. spent 59 hours and used 12 rolls of tape to create their duct tape apparel.

Gabrielle Farina, 19, Pinckney, Mich., and Ryan Danko, 18, Lakeland, Mich.

• Rolls of tape: 12

• Hours spent: 59

• Cool creation tidbit: Glow-in-the-dark Duck Tape was used for the fringe on the flapper dress as well as the outfits' intricate detail.

Voting is going on now to crown the top prom dress and suit made out of duct tape. There are 10 finalists, including one couple from Pendleton, Ind. Here Chloey Guy, 17, and Aaron Streacker, 16, of Navarre, Fla. show off their duct tape prom attire. They used 21 rolls and spent 150 hours creating the look.

Chloey Guy, 17, and Aaron Streacker, 16, Navarre, Fla.

• Rolls of tape: 21

• Hours spent: 150

• Cool creation tidbit: The bottom half of the dress and the vest of the suit were created with more than 3,000 handmade Duck Tape sequins.

Ryley Woodland, 17, and Moss Bruton Joe, 17, of Victoria, British Columbia, used 31 rolls and duct tape and spent 186 hours on their prom creation.

Ryley Woodland, 17, and Moss Bruton Joe, 17, Victoria, British Columbia.

• Rolls of tape: 31

• Hours spent: 186

• Cool creation tidbit: There are mini feathers created out of Duck Tape on her nails, prism lily corsages and Duck Tape sticker tattoos.

Ronnita Whipple, 19, and Joseph Kovac, 17, of Macon, Ga. used 90 rolls of tape and spent 400 hours creating their prom outfits.

Ronnita Whipple, 19, and Joseph Kovac, 17, Macon, Ga.

• Rolls of tape: 90

• Hours spent: 400

• Cool creation tidbit: The boutonniere, corsage, earring, clutch, headpiece and fingernails are made all duct tape.

Kathryn Dobbs, 20, and Nathanial Dobbs, 18, of Perrysburg, Ohio used 40 rolls of duct tape and spent 93 hours on their creation.

Kathryn Dobbs, 20, and Nathanial Dobbs, 18, Perrysburg, Ohio.

• Rolls of tape: 40

• Hours spent: 93

• Cool creation tidbit: The dress has more than 300 hand-cut blades of grass, leaves, flames and flowers made from duct tape.

Elizabeth Zadnik, 18, of Woodbridge, Va., and Tim Jackson, 18, of Manassas, Va. spent 120 hours and used 19 rolls of duct tape for the prom competition.

Elizabeth Zadnik, 18, of Woodbridge, Va., and Tim Jackson, 18, Manassas, Va.

• Rolls of tape: 19

• Hours spent: 120

• Cool creation tidbit: The dress bodice and the tie are made out of more than 1,000 soda tabs woven together with strips of duct tape.

Alese Owens, 17, and Victoria Sparacino, 17, of Hanover, Pa. used 23 rolls of duct tape and spent 100 hours making their prom dresses.

Alese Owens, 17, and Victoria Sparacino, 17, Hanover, Pa.

• Rolls of tape: 23

• Hours spent: 100

• Cool creation tidbit: Gold duct tape-lined pettiskirts are added to both dresses for more volume.

Miranda Lennert, 18, of Santa Ana, Calif., and Jeremy Flores, 18, of Fountain Valley, Calif. spent 73 hours and 69 rolls of duct tape on their prom attire.

Miranda Lennert, 18, Santa Ana, Calif., and Jeremy Flores, 18, Fountain Valley, Calif.

• Rolls of tape: 69

• Hours spent: 73

• Cool creation tidbit: The ruffles were created with a rotary blade to make the squiggle edges. Holes were punched and lace strung through to give a wrinkled look.

Call Star reporter Dana Hunsinger Benbow at (317) 444-6012. Follow her on Twitter:@danabenbow.