Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields has won the title of 2017's Miss America. Shields, 21 topped a field of 52 contestants to win the title and the crown of Miss America 2017 on Sunday night in Atlantic City succeeding the outgoing Miss America, Betty Cantrell.
Shields carried the crown with a jazz dance to a song from the TV show "Smash," during the talent portion, which made her win the preliminary talent competition earlier in the week.
The pageant from Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall had contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as the first openly gay contestant, NBC News reported.
During the Q&A portion, she was asked about Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate.
"If you are trying to be leader of the free world, everything you say and do matters and all of your actions are held to a higher grounds," Shields said. "Both of the contestants have done a good job, but they also need to watch what they are doing."
After her run as Miss America, Shields will return to the University of Arkansas as a senior studying art. "I am hopeful to work in a museum and teach at a collegiate stage," she said about her plans for the future.
The night's first runner-up was Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt with Miss New York Camille Sims the second runner-up. The third runner-up was taken by Miss Washington Alicia Cooper, while the fourth runner-up going to Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis.
Erin O'Flaherty, Miss Missouri was not among the top 15 selected to advance in the pageant during the nationally televised finale. Djuan Trent competed as Miss Kentucky in the Miss America pageant back in 2011, when she ended in the top 10. She came out as a lesbian in 2014.
The top 15 finalists were: Kentucky; Washington; Massachusetts; Arkansas; South Carolina; Idaho; Iowa; Texas; California; Oklahoma; Maryland; New York; Tennessee; Louisiana, and Mississippi.
During the press conference after the ceremony, Shields thanked her fans and family, using her Q&A portion to elaborate on her stand about America's political climate.
"Our country was based on compromise," she said. "It is my thought that we are in a new state now where all parties seem to just be yelling at each other. It is my hope that by the end of my year, we will start to reward politicians on compromising instead of just defending themselves."
The night's celebrity judges including Mark Cuban, Ciara and Gabby Douglas praised Shields and congratulated her.
"I have two young daughters and I think it is important for them to have role models who are savvy and confident," Cuban said, as the crowd cheered.
To Shields, Ciara urged her to savor her big night.
"It is amazing as a woman to see you get this moment," she said. "I encourage you to enjoy this moment, because when great things like this happen, they can sometimes pass you by."
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