It took 25 rolls of duct tape and more than four weeks of work, but two high school students from Arkansas earned $2,500 college scholarships after donning formal wear made from the adhesive to their prom.

Krystal Long and Casey Isringhouse, both 18, won the 2005 Stuck at Prom scholarship contest. The award goes to a couple who attends the prom dressed entirely in duct tape.

Two students from Boonsboro High School were among those vying for prizes. Kristina Powell, 17, and Mason Kough, 17, wore handmade duct-tape formal wear to their school's prom in April.

Long's dress, a two-piece design, was inspired by Pablo Picasso's "Girl Before a Mirror" painting. Isringhouse wore a tuxedo with similar patterns.

The couple said the outfits were extremely hot and heavy, but the crowd's reaction was worth the trouble.

"Everyone loved the outfits and couldn't believe they were actually made of duct tape," Long said.

The pair from Forrest City, Ark., was selected as best dressed from more than 260 couples from 44 states and Canada. The contest was run by Duck brand tape.

In addition to Long's and Isringhouse's scholarships, Henkel Consumer Adhesives, Inc., marketer of Duck brand duct tape, awarded $2,500 to Forrest City High School for hosting the prom.

Second place winners Danielle Smith and David Gulick of Winnacunnet High School, North Hampton, N.H., received $1,000 scholarships and $1,000 for their school.

Third-place winners Lauren Anderson and Paul Harrington of Bella Vista High School, Fair Oaks, Calif., won $500 scholarships and $500 for their school.