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DUCK® BRAND ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2026 STUCK AT PROM® SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

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Student designers transform Duck Tape ® into award-winning prom fashions, earning scholarships and special recognition in the new Red, White & Made By You category.

AVON, Ohio, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hundreds of hours, dozens of rolls of Duck Tape® and countless creative details all led to this moment. Duck® Brand today crowns Sophie C. of Union City, California, and Jeremiah C. of Westland, Michigan, as the First Prize winners of the 2026 Stuck at Prom® Scholarship Contest. Together, their designs rose to the top of this year’s competition, earning recognition for their creativity, craftsmanship and originality.

Sophie C., with her standout pink cake gown, and Jeremiah C., with his red-carpet-worthy tuxedo ensemble, each are awarded a $10,000 scholarship for their work planning, crafting and campaigning after many months.

The remaining eight runners-up will each receive $1,000 cash prize as well as Duck® Brand prize packs worth $100 for their hard work and creativity. Additionally, three of the runners-up have been honored with a Judge’s Choice Award worth $1,000. Calina M. of Poulsbo, Washington, wins Runway Worthy for her black-and-white polka-dot gown. Rio L. of Boise, Idaho, earned the Trust E.’s Choice Award for her vibrant bird-inspired ensemble, which reflected her passion for wildlife and stood out as a favorite among the judges. Finally, Imogen C. of Hillsborough, North Carolina, won the Most Inspiring Award for her tuxedo featuring white wings, a design symbolizing her limitless ambition.

The remaining finalists were Kaitlyn B. of Odenville, Alabama, Victoria E. of San Antonio, Texas, Parker N. of Tiffin, Ohio, Matthew B. of Encino, California and Aiden M. of Alexandria, Virginia.

“The talent and imagination displayed in this year’s Stuck at Prom® contest was truly inspiring,” says Alison Wills, senior product manager at Shurtape Technologies, LLC, the company that markets Duck® Brand. “Students spent hundreds of hours turning ordinary rolls of Duck® Brand duct tape into extraordinary designs that reflect their personalities, passions and artistic vision. We’re also excited to recognize creativity through our new Red, White & Made By You Award, which gave students a unique way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday while showcasing their craftsmanship.”

Learn more about this year’s Stuck At Prom® First Prize winners:

2026 Stuck At Prom® First Prize Dress Winner: Sophie C.

Sophie C. spent 250 hours and used 35 rolls of Duck Tape® to create her pink, strawberry cake-inspired design. “The strawberry cake design also represents my relationship with femininity and beauty growing up,” Sophie says, “When I was younger, I felt pressure to feel pretty, sweet and perfect, almost like girls were expected to be decorated and admired like a strawberry cake. Over time, I learned that I don’t have to force myself into anyone’s idea of beauty. This dress shows both that pressure and my growth towards accepting myself.”

Sophie’s design turned heads with its standout hoop-skirt silhouette and unique accessories. The dress features a collection of duct tape-crafted accessories, including an oversized fork, a pink-and-white headband and matching heels that echo the dress’s whimsical confection-inspired detailing.

2026 Stuck At Prom® First Prize Tux Winner: Jeremiah C.

Jeremiah C. showcased red and black runway-inspired couture after spending 61 hours and using 46 rolls of Duck Tape® to bring his creation to life. “I’ve always been interested in fashion, even as a kid. No one could tell me what to wear,” said Jeremiah. “I wanted the final look to feel modern, bold and artistic while still functioning as a wearable garment. This experience strengthened my passion for fashion and pushed me to think creatively about construction, materials and storytelling through design.”

Jeremiah’s design wowed voters with its use of metallic Duck Tape® to create fashion-forward chains, bracelets and a belt. Featuring a floor-length red cape and red and black patterned trousers, Jeremiah delivered a dramatic, red-carpet-worthy look.

New This Year: Students Bring Red, White and Blue to Stuck at Prom®

This year, Stuck at Prom® honors four designs with the Red, White & Made By You award, created in recognition of America’s 250th birthday. These designs stood out for their patriotic flair and featured stars-and-stripes motifs, eagle wings, constitutional-era fashions and inspiration from classic green army men. Cole S. of Yorkville, Wisconsin, Marina N. of Dallas, Texas, Tanner D. of Mission Viejo, California and Emma F. of Madison, Kansas will each receive a $250 cash prize in recognition of their creativity and patriotic spirit.

For photos of this year’s winning designs and more information about the 26th annual Duck® Brand Stuck At Prom® Scholarship Contest, visit StuckAtProm.com.

About Duck Tape® Brand Duct Tape
An American original, Duck Tape® Brand duct tape is the fix-all to help with everyday repairs, projects or crafts. Duck Tape® offers a vast array of innovative, forward-thinking solutions that help everyone–from makers and creators to do-it-yourselfers and professionals – bring their ideas to life. The brand sets trends with its wide variety of colors and designs, inspires creativity and leads the way in DIY or jobsite projects, crafting, and more, by providing the tools consumers need to make or repair anything. Duck Tape® brand is marketed by Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, with facilities worldwide. Visit DuckBrand.com for additional product information and everyday inspiration, imagination and creativity.

Open to legal U.S. residents, including DC, PR & all U.S. territories & possessions (excl MD, CO, NE & ND) and legal residents of Canada (excl. Quebec) (“Eligibility Area”); who are at least 14 years or older & enrolled in a high school or home school association at the high-school level during the 2025-2026 school year. Begins 12:00 PM ET on March 25, 2026 and ends 12:00:00 PM ET on July 13, 2026. See full rules and entry details at https://www.duckbrand.com/stuck-at-prom. Void outside the Eligibility Area and where prohibited. Sponsor: Shurtape Technologies, LLC.

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SOURCE Duck® Brand

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HelloNation Article Highlights Sterile Compounding and Medication Safety With Insights From Compounding Pharmacist Expert Laura Temple

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The article explains how sterile compounded medications are prepared to reduce the risk of contamination and support safe, customized treatments.

AZLE, Texas, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does sterile compounding mean for medication safety? HelloNation has published an article explaining how sterile compounding helps pharmacies prepare highly specialized medications while adhering to strict contamination-prevention procedures.

The article features insights from Laura Temple, Compounding Pharmacist Expert and Owner of Laura’s Pharmacy in Azle, Texas. It explains that sterile compounding is a specialized process for preparing medications in carefully controlled environments designed to reduce the risk of contamination. Sterile compounded medications are often used for injections, eye drops, IV medications, and other therapies that require the highest levels of cleanliness and precision.

The HelloNation article explains that sterile compounded medications differ from commercially manufactured drugs because they are prepared individually for a patient’s unique medical needs. Physicians may prescribe compounded prescriptions when a patient requires a customized dosage, a combination medication, or a treatment not commercially available. Because these medications often bypass the body’s natural defenses, medication safety depends on strict preparation standards throughout the compounding process.

The article describes how pharmacies that provide sterile compounding rely on cleanroom environments equipped with filtered-air systems, specialized equipment, and contamination-prevention protocols. Pharmacists and technicians follow detailed gowning, sterilization, and handwashing procedures before handling medication ingredients. These measures are designed to support medication safety by limiting exposure to bacteria, particles, and other contaminants.

According to the article, environmental monitoring also plays a critical role in sterile compounding. Temperature control, air quality testing, and routine equipment inspections help maintain consistent preparation standards. The article notes that sterile compounded medications may undergo additional quality assurance checks before being dispensed to patients. These procedures help support both treatment effectiveness and patient safety.

The HelloNation article also explains that pharmacies performing sterile compounding are expected to follow USP guidelines established for sterile preparation. These USP guidelines outline requirements for cleanroom pharmacy operations, environmental testing, employee training, and quality assurance practices. The article emphasizes that maintaining compliance with USP guidelines helps reinforce contamination prevention and consistent preparation standards for compounded prescriptions.

Patients seeking sterile compounded medications may also look for pharmacies that participate in accreditation programs or are overseen by state boards. The article explains that these programs review safety procedures, documentation practices, and facility standards to help maintain medication safety. Regular environmental monitoring and staff competency evaluations are also identified as important safeguards in sterile compounding operations.

The article further explains that communication between pharmacists, healthcare providers, and patients remains an important part of safe compounded prescriptions. Compounding pharmacists review prescriptions carefully, confirm dosing instructions, and evaluate ingredient compatibility before preparation begins. This collaborative approach supports medication safety by reducing the risk of errors and ensuring treatments meet individual patient needs.

The article concludes that sterile compounding continues to play an important role in healthcare, particularly for patients requiring customized therapies that are unavailable through traditional manufacturing channels. Whether preparing IV medications, injectable therapies, or other sterile compounded medications, pharmacies rely on contamination prevention procedures and strict preparation standards to support patient care. The article notes that understanding how sterile compounding works can help patients feel more informed about the safety measures involved in preparing specialized medications.

What Sterile Compounding Means for Medication Safety features insights from Laura Temple, a compounding pharmacist expert at Laura’s Pharmacy in Azle, Texas, on HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hellonation-article-highlights-sterile-compounding-and-medication-safety-with-insights-from-compounding-pharmacist-expert-laura-temple-302831275.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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CIOs Forced to Rethink Manual Compliance Processes as Regulatory Complexity Rises, Says Info-Tech Research Group

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Regulatory demands are increasing in volume, complexity, and speed, leaving many organizations reliant on fragmented, manual approaches that slow response times and increase risk. New insights from Info-Tech Research Group show that organizations need to adopt more structured and scalable approaches to keep pace with regulatory change. The firm’s recently published blueprint, Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine, provides frameworks, tools, and step-by-step guidance to help organizations translate regulatory requirements into actionable IT controls and prioritized initiatives.

ARLINGTON, Va., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Growing regulatory pressure across jurisdictions is forcing organizations to rethink how they interpret, prioritize, and execute compliance requirements. Many IT teams continue to operate with inconsistent processes and limited coordination, resulting in delayed initiatives and increased exposure to financial and reputational risk. Info-Tech’s blueprint, Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine, introduces a coordinated and repeatable approach to help IT leaders operationalize compliance and improve execution outcomes.

Info-Tech’s findings indicate that while organizations recognize the need for faster and more consistent regulatory response, they continue to face barriers such as fragmented interpretation of requirements, weak prioritization, and limited scalability. AI-enabled tools can help streamline analysis and accelerate response planning, but without a coordinated approach grounded in governance and human oversight, those benefits are difficult to realize.

“Regulatory response is becoming too complex to manage through disconnected, manual processes,” says Ahmad Jowhar, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. “IT leaders need a repeatable way to interpret requirements, prioritize action, and use AI to accelerate planning without losing the governance and oversight needed to execute effectively.”

Key Challenges IT Leaders Face in Regulatory Response

Despite ongoing investments in compliance, organizations continue to face systemic challenges that hinder effective execution. Info-Tech’s blueprint highlights several areas where IT and compliance leaders struggle most:

Fragmented and manual processes that slow regulatory interpretation and response.Inconsistent application of regulatory requirements across teams and jurisdictions.Poor prioritization of IT initiatives, leading to missed deadlines and duplicated effort.Limited scalability to manage increasing regulatory volume and complexity.Misalignment between compliance activities and broader business priorities.

Info-Tech’s Framework for Building a Regulatory IT Response Engine

To address these challenges, Info-Tech recommends a structured, AI-enabled approach that improves consistency, speed, and scalability. The firm’s Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine blueprint outlines the following key priorities for IT leaders:

Define the regulatory landscape: Establish organizational context, governance structures, and a centralized inventory of applicable regulations.Translate requirements into IT controls: Use AI-enabled analysis and structured assessments to convert regulatory obligations into actionable controls.Prioritize IT initiatives: Align initiatives based on cost, effort, impact, and regulatory timelines to reduce execution risk.Build and communicate a roadmap: Develop a clear, resource-aligned roadmap to guide execution and stakeholder alignment.Establish a repeatable process: Continuously monitor, adapt, and refine regulatory response capabilities to maintain compliance over time.

Organizations that adopt this structured approach can move from reactive compliance efforts to a more proactive and scalable model that shortens response timelines, reduces manual effort, and strengthens execution.

The firm’s Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine blueprint includes practical tools such as a Regulation Inventory Tool, a Regulatory Response IT Action Plan Tool, a Communication Deck Template, and a Compliance Program Framework. By applying these resources, IT leaders can standardize regulatory responses, improve prioritization, and help ensure compliance initiatives are executed on time and in alignment with business priorities.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Info-Tech’s experts, including Ahmad Jowhar, and access to the complete Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine blueprint, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is the “get things done” partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm’s SoftwareReviews platform.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cios-forced-to-rethink-manual-compliance-processes-as-regulatory-complexity-rises-says-info-tech-research-group-302831286.html

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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Atomera to Announce Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Host Webinar on Tuesday, August 4, 2026

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LOS GATOS, Calif., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Atomera Incorporated (NASDAQ: ATOM), a semiconductor materials and technology licensing company, announced today that it plans to release its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.

The company will host a live video Zoom webinar at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, to discuss the results. The live webinar can be accessed through Atomera’s investor relations website at https://ir.atomera.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for 12 months. To pre-register for the webinar, use the following link.

https://atomera.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OJFbTWe1SIyV69LLdDadCw

About Atomera

Atomera Incorporated is a semiconductor materials and technology licensing company focused on deploying its proprietary, silicon-proven technology into the semiconductor industry. Atomera has developed Mears Silicon Technology™ (MST®), which increases performance and power efficiency in semiconductor transistors. MST can be implemented using equipment already deployed in semiconductor manufacturing facilities and is complementary to other nano-scaling technologies already in the semiconductor industry roadmap.  More information can be found at www.atomera.com 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atomera-to-announce-second-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-host-webinar-on-tuesday-august-4-2026-302830602.html

SOURCE Atomera Incorporated

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