The new Miss America should be crowned around 11 p.m.
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The outgoing Miss America, Betty Cantrell, back left, crowns the Miss America victor Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields, as Lynn Weidner, right assists, as Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer, second right, and Miss Texas 2016 Caroline Carothers, look on during the Miss America 2017 pageant, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlantic City, N.J.
During a press conference after the victory, the bubbly blonde thanked her family and fans an then used a question about her weird Clinton response to expand on her views about America’s political climate.
Shields was asked what she thought of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Shields succeeds Betty Cantrell, the outgoing Miss America 2016, after beating 51 other contestants to the title at the event held at the Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City. “I paint to express my joy”, she said. “She’s got one year to be an ambassador, not only for her own platform, but for our wonderful state of Arkansas”. She already had a clear vision of what she hopes America will look like at the end of her term next year.
“It’s a grueling year”, said Whitworth, an El Dorado native who now lives in Fort Worth. “I felt much more mature in my ability to strike up a conversation with anybody”.
Shields shared that she is an art major in college and also has a passion for helping people make healthier food choices.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in 1966 and a master’s degree in 1969, both in speech and drama.
“It’s such an honor to be able to walk on that stage and be recognized for doing something I love”, said Miss Tennessee Grace Burgess after winning the first night’s preliminary talent contest by singing The Eagles’ hit “Desperado”.
Founded in 1921, the Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading advocates for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women.
Shields relinquished her title of Miss Arkansas by becoming Miss America. Tony Eaton and Tall Pony Productions produced the “2017 Miss America Competition”.
Read Monday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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Her pageant tagline was “eat better, live better”.
