Minnetonka Students Are Stuck On Duct Tape

In London, athletes are preparing for the 2012 Olympics. 

In Minnetonka, students are preparing for a different kind of Olympics– the annual Duct Tape Olympics. 

In these games on May 22 at , every event will involve duct tape. 

“You can do just about anything with duct tape,” said junior Jordan Falkum. “It just takes patience.”

In addition to physical contests like the three-legged race and “unscramble,” the Duct Tape Olympics will feature competitions where students show off items they’ve made from duct tape. 

Junior Melissa Ward is working on duct tape shoes for the wardrobe competition. 

Some members work on their projects at home. “A lot of us keep our creation a secret until the Olympics,” said Jessica Ott, club captain.

The club gathers weekly throughout the school year to share creativity and camaraderie. “We teach each other,” Ott said while working on a red duct tape wallet.

“People of all abilities can do it,” explained club advisor Leah Bender. “You see them get excited about what they make.”

“This is the only thing I know how to make,” Falkum said, holding up a duct tape rose she created. It takes 10-30 minutes to make a rose.

“I wore a duct tape corsage to the sweetheart dance last year,” said Ott.

The club sells duct tape roses and tulips for charity at the school in February. And this Mother’s Day, some Minnetonka moms will be getting bouquets of duct tape roses.

There is no fee to join the duct tape club, which Ott estimated has “about ten members."

All that is required is an interest in exploring the wonders of duct tape. Members contribute rolls of tape, which they share.

The traditional silver duct tape used for household repairs isn’t so popular with club members.

They prefer duct tape with designs ranging from cheetah print and zebra stripe to classic plaid. 

“Someone did make silver boots once though,” recalled Ott. “This one is my favorite,” she said, holding up a cupcake-print roll. 

Jordan’s favorite tape features Hello Kitty.

The variety is a far cry from the original tape which came in army green. 

“It was used in World War II to keep moisture out of equipment and ammunition boxes,” noted Ott. The tape was nicknamed “duck tape,” for its ability to repel water. After the war, it was put to civilian use and renamed “duct tape.”

Though their taste in tape designs is diverse, one thing club members agree on: duct tape is fun and handy.

“I keep a roll in my purse,” admitted Ott.

So is duct taping a sport, or an art?

“It’s a combination,” said Jordan. 

“I think it’s more of an art,” said Ott. 

How do people react when they hear about a duct tape club?

“People think it’s interesting,” said Ott. “Our school is chill and diverse, and we’re proud of that.”

Duct taping seems to be gaining in popularity. There are even scholarships exclusively for duct tapers that can be found online.

Ott, a Minnetonka senior, started duct taping in middle school.   

“I asked for a roll of duct tape for Christmas,” said Ott. “I got three rolls: red, white and blue, and I just got interested in it.”

Ott plans to attend University of Wisconsin-Stout this fall to study apparel design. She likes to sew and says the skill lends itself to duct tapery. “Duct tape is like fabric," she said. "You have to shape it and piece it together.”

The college doesn’t have a duct tape club. 

Will Ott start one?  “It’s possible,” she said. “It’s probable.”

For the Duct Tape Olympics, Minnetonka teachers will serve as judges.

Winners won’t be taking home gold medals though. “We compete for candy and bragging rights,” said Ott.

To all the competitors in the Duct Tape Olympics, we say: “Good duct!” and “Break a tape!”