THUNDER BAY — It took 132 hours and 21 rolls of duct tape to make the tuxedo that could win Bronson Aggamway a sizeable college scholarship.
The local high school grad's entry in the annual Stuck at Prom scholarship contest is one of five finalists in the tuxedo portion of the competition, which is open to students from Canada and the U.S.
Now it's up to the public decide if he gets the $15,000 (US) scholarship from the North Carolina-based manufacturer of the Duck brand of duct tape.
Online voting is open, and will continue until July 9th, followed about a week later by the announcement of the winner.
Voters are allowed to cast a ballot every day until the contest closes.
Aggamway, a 19-year-old graduate of Hammarskjold High School, will attend Lakehead University this fall to pursue a career in nursing.
He told Newswatch he overcame some challenges in making the tux.
"Some of the fabric would rip when I would tape it together to try it on. So I constantly had to do minor repairs...It was trial and error over and over again."
Aggamway created what he describes as a "royal, futuristic-inspired tuxedo," complete with a crown, sceptre, rose and royal cape.
"At first glance, it may appear as simply a bold fashion statement," he wrote in a submission for the contest website, "but every detail is layered with personal meaning, symbolic intent, and heartfelt tribute."
The primarily blue and gold colour scheme is particularly meaningful.
He said it represents two major inspirations – the colours of Ukraine, where his mother's family is from, and the colours of Lakehead University.
The royal motif, Aggamway said, speaks to sovereignty and the right of all people to live with dignity and ride, while the structured design reflects the discipline and confidence he aims to carry into his academic career.
He was motivated to enter the contest partly because another student from northwestern Ontario, Monica Walsh, won the prom dress portion of the annual competition last year.
"I'm probably going to be talking to her soon for marketing advice to get the word out more," he said.
Aggamway said his family and friends have been very supportive since he broke the news to them about what he was up to.
"They've been really excited and proud that I was able to do this. I sort of kept it in the dark from a lot of them, and only just revealed it once the tuxedo was done."
