Miss America 2017, the 90th Miss America pageant, was held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 11, 2016. The event was broadcast by ABC in the United States, the first in the network's newest agreement to carry the pageant until 2019, with Dick Clark Productions producing the ceremony.

Betty Cantrell (Miss Georgia 2015) crowned her successor, Miss Arkansas 2016, Savvy Shields, at the end of the two-hour nationally televised event.

Overview

Preliminary judges

The panel of preliminary competition judges included actress, Katherine Bailess; Miss America 1966, Debby Bryant Berge; musician, Rob Bowman; Jennifer Caudle; television host, Nicole Lapin; strategist, Deanna Siller; and CEO of Galvanized Media, David Zinczenko.

Final night judges

The panel of judges on the final night of competition included singer, Ciara; businessman, Mark Cuban; Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas; actress, Sara Foster; actress, Laura Marano; country singer, Cole Swindell; and Miss America 1985, Sharlene Wells Hawkes.

Results

Placements

PlacementContestant
Miss America 2017Arkansas – Savvy Shields
1st Runner-UpSouth Carolina – Rachel Wyatt
2nd Runner-UpNew York – Camille Sims
3rd Runner-UpWashington – Alicia Cooper
4th Runner-UpMississippi – Laura Lee Lewis
Top 7Maryland – Hannah Brewer Texas – Caroline Carothers
Top 10California – Jessa Carmack Iowa – Kelly Koch Tennessee – Grace Burgess
Top 12Kentucky – Laura Jones* Oklahoma – Sarah Klein
Top 15Idaho – Kylee Solberg Louisiana – Justine Ker Massachusetts – Alissa Musto
  • - America's Choice

Awards

Preliminary awards

AwardsContestant
Lifestyle and FitnessDistrict of Columbia - Cierra Jackson Maryland - Hannah Brewer Ohio - Alice Magoto
TalentArkansas - Savvy Shields Michigan - Arianna Quan Tennessee - Grace Burgess

Children's Miracle Network (CMN) National Miracle Maker awards

ResultsContestant
WinnerAlabama - Hayley Barber
1st runner-upSouth Carolina - Rachel Wyatt
2nd runner-upKansas - Kendall Schoenekase

Quality of Life awards

ResultsContestantPlatform
WinnerAlabama - Hayley BarberSight for Small Eyes
1st runner-upKansas - Kendall SchoenekaseStay Alive – Don’t Text and Drive
2nd runner-upMaryland - Hannah BrewerHannah's Heroes
Finalists
Mississippi - Laura Lee LewisMentoring Matters
Nevada - Bailey GummAutism Through a Different Lens
Oklahoma - Sarah KleinSupporting Our Troops from Deployment to Employment
Tennessee - Grace BurgessReady, Set, Read! Encouraging A Love for Reading

STEM Scholarship awards

ResultsContestant
WinnersAlabama - Hayley Barber Illinois - Jaryn Franklin Kansas - Kendall Schoenekase
Finalists
Hawaii - Allison Chu Montana - Lauren Scofield

Other awards

AwardsContestant(s)
Miss CongenialityMinnesota - Madeline Van Ert
Non-Finalist Interview AwardFlorida - Courtney Sexton
Non-Finalist Talent AwardColorado - Shannon Patilla Michigan - Arianna Quan New Hampshire - Caroline Carter North Carolina - McKenzie Faggart
John Curran Non-Finalist Communications Journalism Interview AwardNebraska - Aleah Peters
Louanne Gamba Instrumentalist ScholarshipMichigan - Arianna Quan
Women in Business Scholarship AwardGeorgia - Patricia Ford Rhode Island - Shruti Nagarajan

Contestants

  • The Miss America 2017 contestants were:
State/district/terr.NameHometownAgeTalentPlatformPlacementSpecial awardsNotes
AlabamaHayley BarberPelham22Tap Dance "Dibidy Do" by Club des BelugasSight for Small EyesQuality of Life Award Winner STEM Scholarship Award Children's Miracle Network Hospitals National Maker AwardContestant at National Sweetheart 2013 pageant
AlaskaKendall BautistaEagle River23Piano "Tarantelle" by Frédéric ChopinThe Power of One - Making a DifferencePreviously Miss Alaska USA 2014
ArizonaKatelyn NiemiecScottsdale22Twirl Routine "Wings" by Macklemore & Ryan LewisBullying S.T.O.P.S. HerePreviously Miss Arizona's Outstanding Teen 2009 Contestant at National Sweetheart 2013 pageant
ArkansasSavvy ShieldsFayetteville21Jazz Dance "They Just Keep Moving the Line" from the television show SmashEat Better, Live BetterMiss America 2017Preliminary Talent AwardPreviously Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2009 Previously Miss Collegiate America 2013
CaliforniaJessa CarmackSanta Clara22Gymnastics Dance, "Little Less Conversation" by Elvis PresleyBuilding a Healthy Future by Instilling a Health Lifestyle for Our YouthTop 10Previously Miss California's Outstanding Teen 2011 Top 15 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012 pageant
ColoradoShannon Ebony PatillaDenver24R&B / Soul Vocal "Something's Gotta Hold On Me" by Etta JamesLearning Through ServingNon-finalist Talent Award
ConnecticutAlyssa Rae TagliaWolcott22Tap Dance"Smiles for Seniors" - Enriching the Lives of Seniors Across AmericaPreviously Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2010
DelawareAmanda DebusMiddletown24Contemporary Ballet "Fight Song"All Aware, Allergy AwarenessPreviously Miss Delaware's Outstanding Teen 2008 Previously Miss Delaware Teen USA 2011
District of ColumbiaCierra Dena'e JacksonColumbus, GA24Gospel Vocal, "Alabaster Box" by CeCe WinansBehind the Frontline: Supporting Military ChildrenPreliminary Lifestyle & Fitness AwardLater Miss District of Columbia USA 2020 and top 16 at Miss USA 2020
FloridaCourtney SextonStarke23Modern Dance "I Got Love"Get Up! Get Moving! Volunteer!Non-finalist Interview AwardPreviously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2008 Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
GeorgiaPatricia FordJohns Creek20Ballet en Pointe "Explosive" by BondPromoting Children's Miracle Network HospitalsWomen in Business Scholarship Award1st runner-up at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
HawaiiAllison ChuKahala22Operatic vocal "O Mio Babbino Caro" from Gianni SchicchiSafe in the SunSTEM Scholarship FinalistSister of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2010, Julianne Chu Later Miss Hawaii USA 2021
IdahoKylee SolbergCoeur d'Alene21Classical Ballet en Pointe to Don QuixoteOur Words Have PowerTop 15Previously National Sweetheart 2015
IllinoisJaryn FranklinEast Moline23Jazz Vocal, "Dream a Little Dream of Me"Advocating for Individuals with DisabilitiesSTEM Scholarship Award
IndianaBrianna DeCampKendallville22Tap Dance, "Dr. Jazz" from Jelly Last JamRay of Hope: Medical MissionsPreviously Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen 2011
IowaKelly KochWaukee20Ballet en pointe, "Curse of the Black Pearl"Pinky Swear FoundationTop 10
KansasKendall Ellen SchoenekaseOverland Park22Vocal, "Ain't no Sunshine" by Bill WithersStay Alive - Don't Text and DriveQuality of Life Award 1st runner-up STEM Scholarship Award Children Miracle Network National Miracle Maker 2nd runner-upPreviously Miss Missouri United States 2010
KentuckyLaura Katherine JonesFisherville23Violin, "Smooth Criminal" by Michael JacksonW.A.I.T.Top 12America's ChoicePreviously Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2010 Top 10 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2011
LouisianaJustine KerChoudrant22Classical PianoA Beautiful Mind: Promoting Positive Mental HealthTop 15Previously Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen 2011
MaineMarybeth NoonanRaymond20Show Tune Vocal, "I Got Rhythm" from Girl Crazy"Be Their Voice" - Fundraising for Childhood Cancer Research and Providing Assistance for Families AffectedPreviously Miss Maine's Outstanding Teen 2010 Contestant at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
MarylandHannah BrewerManchester18Vocal "God Bless America"Hannah's HeroesTop 7Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness AwardPreviously Miss Maryland Teen USA 2013 Top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2013 Sister of Miss Pennsylvania 2005, Nicole Brewer
MassachusettsAlissa MustoRehoboth21PianoChanging Keys - Connecting Kids with KeyboardsTop 15
MichiganArianna QuanBloomfield Hills23Classical Piano, Mily Balalkirev's transcription of Mikhail Glinka's "L'Alouette (The Lark)"Being American: Immigration and Citizenship EducationLouanne Gamba Instrumentalist Scholarship Non-finalist Talent Award Preliminary Talent Award
MinnesotaMadeline Taylor Van ErtRochester19Piano/Vocal, "What a Wonderful World"Fine Arts for KidsMiss CongenialityTop 10 at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
MississippiLaura Lee LewisBrookhaven23Show Tune Vocal, "A Piece of Sky" by Barbra Streisand from "Yentl"Mentoring Matters4th runner-upQuality of Life Award FinalistPreviously Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2009 3rd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2014 pageant
MissouriErin O'FlahertySt. Louis23Vocal, "Mad Hatter", from Wonderland: Alice's New Musical AdventureSuicide Prevention: We're All ResponsibleFirst openly gay contestant to compete at Miss America[citation needed]
MontanaLauren ScofieldHavre22Piano, "Moonlight Sonata" by BeethovenPlanting the Seeds of STEMSTEM Scholarship FinalistNiece of Miss Montana 1986, Kamala Compton
NebraskaAleah PetersOmaha22Baton Twirling "Wings"Cyber-bullying Prevention - Make Kindness ViralJohn Curran Non-finalist Communications Journalism Interview Award
NevadaBailey GummMinden20Tap Dance "Sax" by Fleur EastAutism Through a Different LensQuality of Life Award FinalistPreviously Miss Nevada's Outstanding Teen 2011 Contestant at National Sweetheart 2014 pageant
New HampshireCaroline CarterDover18Vocal, "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables1, 2, We: Diabetes AdvocacyNon-finalist Talent AwardPreviously Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen 2014
New JerseyBrenna WeickMantua Township22VocalA World of Difference: Navigating the CyberspherePreviously Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen 2009 1st runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2010 pageant Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2013 pageant
New MexicoStephanie Michelle ChavezAlbuquerque23Vocal, "That's Life" by Frank SinatraStephanie's Ponytail - How I Learned to ReadContestant at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
New YorkCamille SimsIthaca23Vocal, "Sway"Encouraging Wellness and Fostering Food Dignity2nd runner-upPreviously Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2010 2nd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2011 pageant 4th runner-up at Miss Georgia 2015 pageant
North CarolinaMcKenzie FaggartConcord21Lyrical Dance, "Rise Up"The SAFE ProjectNon-finalist Talent AwardPreviously Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen 2011
North DakotaMacy ChristiansonMinot20Contemporary BalletYou Decide the Road Ahead: Don't Drink and DriveLater Miss North Dakota USA 2020
OhioAlice Louisa MagotoCincinnati18Vocal, "Astonishing" from Little WomenBeauty Unedited - Redefining Beauty for the Next GenerationPreliminary Lifestyle & Fitness AwardLater Miss Ohio USA 2019 and Top 10 at Miss USA 2019
OklahomaSarah KleinTulsa24PianoSupporting our Troops from Deployment to EmploymentTop 12Quality of Life Award Finalist2nd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
OregonAlexis MatherAstoria21Bravura Performance "Nessun Dorma" from Giacomo Puccini's TurandotMentoring to Develop Leaders
PennsylvaniaSamantha LambertPittsburgh22Acrobatic DanceHeads Up: Brain Injury Awareness
Puerto RicoCarole RigualBayamón22Monologue, "Crossroads"Children Victims of Sexual AbuseTop 30 at Nuestra Belleza Latina 2013
Rhode IslandShruti NagarajanProvidence24Bollywood-fusion danceUpward Mobility: College Access for Low Income and Minority StudentsWomen in Business Scholarship Award
South CarolinaRachel WyattClemson21Jazz Dance, "Something in the Water" by Carrie UnderwoodAutism Speaks1st runner-upCMN Miracle Maker Award 1st runner-upPreviously Miss South Carolina Teen 2012 Previously Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2013
South DakotaJulia OlsonSioux Falls23Operatic Vocal "Omio Bino Caro"Worth ItContestant at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
TennesseeGrace BurgessMemphis22Vocal "Desperado" by The EaglesReady, Set, Read! Encouraging a Love for ReadingTop 10Preliminary Talent Award Quality of Life Award FinalistContestant at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
TexasCaroline CarothersSan Antonio20Baton Twirling, "Hot Honey Rag" from ChicagoWith + Math = I CanTop 7
UtahLauren WilsonPleasant Grove21Dance, "Libertango"With Help Comes Hope: Suicide Awareness and Prevention
VermontRylee FieldMontpelier24Spoken Word Poetry, "Mockingbird" by RivesFind a Happy Place - Positive Mental Health and Wellness
VirginiaMichaela Gabriella SigmonChesapeake21Tap DanceMaking it Matter
WashingtonAlicia Nicole CooperVancouver21Tap Dance "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer LopezLive on Purpose: Defining Your Legacy3rd runner-up
West VirginiaMorgan BreedenCharles Town21Piano, "From Hurt to Heart" (Original composition)Bullies Beware: I Have a Lion in My Heart
WisconsinCourtney Jean PelotManitowoc22Jazz Dance, "Burnin' Up" by Jesse J. CornishOpen Books, Open Opportunity: Promoting Literacy in Our Communities
WyomingJordyn HallLaramie23Lyrical/Jazz danceShatter the Silence - Stop the Violence