Shields, who represented Arkansas in the pageant, won the crown Sunday night in Atlantic City (Photo: AP)
Miss California Jessa Carmack was elated after making it to the list of finalists (Photo: AP)
Miss New York Camille Sims react after being named a finalist (Photo: AP)
The outgoing Miss America, Betty Cantrell, sings during the Miss America 2017 (Photo: AP)
She topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017, succeeding the outgoing Miss America Betty Cantrell (Photo: AP)
Shields said, \"If you're trying to be leader of the free world, everything you say and do matters and all of your actions are held to a higher standard\" (Photo: AP)
Miss Missouri, Erin O'Flaherty became the first openly lesbian contestant at the pageant (Photo: AP)
The 96-year-old pageant saw it's first ever openly gay participant.