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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 5 sepTember 2017
Outgoing Miss America: We’re more alike than different

By WAYNE PARRY of airline miles and living
Associated Press out of suitcases as she criss-
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — crosses the country, meet-
Asked about Democratic ing people from all walks of
presidential nominee Hillary life.
Clinton during her onstage “I’ve seen world-changers
interview at last year’s Miss and philanthropists and
America pageant, Savvy charities and ordinary peo-
Shields turned heads on the ple who are all seeking the
judge’s panel and across same goal,” she said, which
the country by offering is making a difference in
some advice to both po- whatever way they can.
litical parties: Stop arguing “It’s been very encourag-
and start compromising. ing to me to see that.”
It was that response that Riding to the airport for
may have put her over the a flight that would bring
top to become Miss Ameri- her back to Atlantic City,
ca 2017. Shields reflected on her
Now, with her reign to end year as Miss America.
in just about a week, the “It’s been nonstop,” she
former Miss Arkansas says said. “It’s been a whirlwind.”
the nation is not as divided One of the biggest surprises In this Aug. 30, 2017 photo, Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields walks during a welcoming ceremony
as it may seem. of being Miss America? in Atlantic City, N.J., near contestants hoping to succeed her.
“We’re a lot more similar “I always thought coffee Associated Press
than we think we are,” she would hold things together Miss America. when you laugh more than about her early days as
told The Associated Press in and keep me caffeinated,” And there were emotion- you thought possible, and Miss America, saying — as
one of her final interviews she joked. “I didn’t realize it al moments in her duties there were moments when many of her predecessors
before her successor is wears off.” as national ambassador you realize the reality of the have — that the days flew
crowned Sept. 10. There were surprising mo- for the Children’s Miracle situation, with kids whose by in a blur. She has to scroll
Shields says she’s been ments like meeting Baby Network of hospitals that futures are not guaran- back through her social
in a different state every Savvy, a young girl in North included many visits with teed,” she said. media accounts to remem-
48 hours for the past 12 Dakota whose parents young patients. Savvy (short for Savannah) ber much about the begin-
months, logging thousands named her after the new “There were moments does not remember much ning of her reign.q