June 25, 2025
Incoming Ferris State freshman’s convertible duct tape tux lands him a finalist in national competition, with national vote starting today
An incoming Ferris State University freshman has been named one of only 10 finalists in the Duck Brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest – and can win the top prize through a national vote that started today.
Incoming Ferris State University student Calder Westerman's shows off his duct tape tuxedo.
Calder Westerman, who just graduated from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, tapped his Bulldog pride and automotive aspirations to design a tuxedo made entirely from duct tape for a chance to win $15,000 for college. He spent 85 hours and used 15 rolls of the sticky stuff to create the tux, which also transforms into an auto racing suit.’
The contest attracted 150 creative students from across the United States and Canada.
Westerman is thrilled to be a finalist. He's the only finalist from Michigan.
“Waiting each day of the judging period, constantly checking my email, and finally seeing I’m a finalist has been the biggest excitement — and relief — ever,” said Westerman, 18. “Now I just need to shoot for the grand prize.”
Online voters will have from June 25 to July 9 to cast their vote at StuckAtProm.com, helping to award the grand prize dress and tux winners $15,000 each. The eight runners-up will each receive $1,000, as well as three more prizes for judges’ choice awards. Winners will be announced on or around July 10.
A panel of judges chose the top 10 finalists — five from the dress category and five from the tuxedo category — based on workmanship, use of colors, originality and use of Duck Tape in their designs.
When the 25th anniversary of the Stuck at Prom contest was announced this spring, it seemed like the perfect chance to, well, stick together all his ambitions in one outfit.
Westerman will begin Ferris State’s Automotive Engineering Technology program this fall. Festooned with Brutus the Bulldog image and other past and present university logos, the tux also pays tribute to his idol, Japanese racing car driver Keiichi Tsuchiya. It includes a helmet, driving gloves and a 3D boutonniere incorporating a small racing trophy.
Yes, all made with the sticky adhesive tape.
But this isn’t the Westerman family’s first duct tape rodeo: Calder’s older brother, Vaughn, was a Stuck at Prom finalist in 2021.
“A little friendly competition here at the Westerman household as Calder not only is hoping to be a finalist, but place first in the tux category,” said Amber Westerman, his mother and duct-tape consultant.
Calder Westerman said he’s pleased with the way his suit turned out.
“Keiichi Tsuchiya always has this iconic green and silver helmet, green gloves and green suit,” he said. “I did my best to recreate it, but with my own Bulldog twist.”
Any prize money Westerman wins will help pay for his Ferris State education.
“It was a lot of painstakingly detailed work, but also a lot of fun,” Westerman said.
Visit this link to cast your vote for Calder Westerman.