New Miss America has some presidential advice

O’Flaherty was the first openly gay woman to win a state title and thus gain entry to the Miss America pageant in the organization’s 96 year history. Third runner-up Miss Washington Alicia Nicole Cooper received a $15,000 scholarship.

For the talent round, Shields performed a jazz dance to “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from the TV series “Smash“.

Along with her dance skills, Shields is a talented artist.

Missouri’s Erin O’Flaherty, who in June became the first openly lesbian contestant in the history of the almost century-old pageant, failed to make the first cut of 15 selected from 52 entrants from the 50 USA states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

“This is such an iconic moment, the toe dip in Atlantic City that every Miss America does”, she said.

They were: Kentucky; Washington; Massachusetts; Arkansas; South Carolina; Idaho; Iowa; Texas; California; Oklahoma; Maryland; New York; Tennessee; Louisiana, and Mississippi.

But there’s a lot more to know about Savvy other than the fact that she looks wonderful in a crown.

Prominent past Miss America winners include actress Vanessa Williams, who became the first black victor in 1983.

Shields, interviewed by host Sage Steele just before being announced as the victor, noted the “sisterhood” with other contestants and called the experience “so special”.

Gold medalist Gabby Douglas told PEOPLE she was thrilled to be asked to judge the competition.

Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell swore on national television as Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields was crowned the new Miss America.

Shields will take the traditional skip along the beach in Atlantic City across from Boardwalk Hall on Monday.

Miss America was broadcast live on ABC and hosted by Chris Harrison, of The Bachelor, and ESPN personality Sage Steele.

This year’s judges – which included Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Gabby Douglas, pop singer Ciara, and celebrity tech billionaire Mark Cuban – posed tough questions to the finalists on topics ranging from immigration to the U.S. presidential race.

During the question and answer portion, she was asked about democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

It returned to New Jersey after being held in Las Vegas for 10 years in 2013, receiving $12.5million in subsidies from the state.