The second runner-up is Miss New York Camille Sims and received a $20,000 scholarship.
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Shields shared that she is an art major in college and also has a passion for helping people make healthier food choices. NJ.com reports she accidentally referred to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as “contestants”, not candidates, when asked about the Democratic presidential nominee.
Afterward, she told reporters that she wants both candidates to focus on compromise.
Miss Arkansa Savvy Shields reacts after being named new the Miss America 2017 on Sunday.
Shields, 21, celebrated her big night with a shout-out to her Twitter followers after the event.
Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer reacts as she advances from the swimsuit component of the 96th Miss America Pageant at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sept. 11, 2016.
It also featured 52 competitors from around the nation, although that number was quickly whittled down to 15 once 37 women were cut almost as soon as the Miss America Pageant kicked off.
Savvy Shields, Miss Arkansas, strutted her way quite literally through the Top 52 and into the cup-hand-waving winner’s circle.
For the talent portion of the competition, Shields performed a jazz dance to “They Just Keep Moving The Line” from the American drama series Smash.
“With a shield and a guardian, Atlantic City’ll be safe for another year”, he said, referring to the city’s economic woes.
Her fellow sorority sisters did not waste time showing their pride outside the house on campus, flying a large banner which reads “Savvy Shields”.
“Our country was founded on compromise”, she said.
“It’s really important for me just to exist in this capacity as completely who I am and be open and proud about it for the LGBT community”, she said this week.
Erin O’Flaherty is a talented singer and a graduate of the University of Central Florida, she’s also Miss America’s first openly gay contestant.
The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.
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She was the first openly gay contestant to win a state title.
