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The pair decided to create their own dresses rather than buy them off racks like everyone else.

"We both made necklaces," Coon, 16, a junior said. "I made a crown with a heart and music notes on it, while Erin made a flower for her hair. I also covered my shoes with Duct Tape."

The theme of the prom that was held in Frankenmuth's Bavarian Inn was "Midnight Masquerade."

"Overall, prom was a blast," Coon said. "Literally everywhere we went heads turned and we had enough compliments to fill a lifetime. Everyone loved our dresses and could not believe that they were made of duct tape. At one point, we were in the rest room getting ready to change into our backup dresses and we literally had a mob of women around us asking us question after question."

The best friends wore their homemade prom dresses at the prom for all but 45 minutes when they decided to each change into their backup dresses. "We put off changing because we were just so proud of ourselves," Coon said. "It was one of the best experiences of my life and I did it all with my bestest friend in the whole wide world. My mom, Vicki Coon, is really proud of me."

Coon said the dresses were strapless and they both ended up stapling the bands in. "My boyfriend, Cody Reed's mom helped us both make the under bodice," Coon said.

Thorpe said the pair each needed help removing their homemade dresses. "Our dates thought they were really cool," she said. "Mine was black with teal and we made purses. I had a flower. We duct taped our shoes."

Coon said it took about four blue rolls and two rolls of green Duct Tape to create her prom wear and joked that duct tape fixes just about everything. "Buying a dress isn't as creative," Coon said. "We're best friends and wanted to see if we get the scholarship. We're entering the contest as a couple."

According to the Duck Tape brand Duct Tape Web site www.ducttapeclub.com, there are 20 colors of Duct Tape including atomic yellow, funky flamingo, lime green, camo green, and camo brown.

The girls are competing in the Duck brand Duct Tape Stuck at the Prom Scholarship contest with the winners each receiving $3,000 scholarships. On-line voting will take place June 13-June 29. Winners will be notified by June 30.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.