Tia Lyons
Staff Writer
EL DORADO — Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields is returning to Arkansas with a Homecoming Celebration that will begin today in Little Rock, and a contingent from El Dorado will be on hand to help welcome her home.
The Southern Belles Dance Company has been invited to accompany Shields during a homecoming parade that will be thrown in her honor at 4 p.m. today in Little Rock.
The homecoming celebration will roll through Sunday with activities also scheduled in Fayetteville.
For the past two years, The Southern Belles, under the direction of twin brothers Jason Roberson and Justin Roberson, have traveled to Hot Springs for the Miss Arkansas pageant.
The group was in the audience when Shields won the state crown in July.
Shields is the third contestant from Arkansas to be named Miss America. El Dorado native Donna Axum received the honor in 1964, and Elizabeth Ward from Ozark won in 1982.
Justin Roberson said the Homecoming invitation offers another opportunity for the Belles to enhance their educational and personal life experiences.
“This group of young ladies have transcended from being technically trained dancers to becoming young ladies that have been given opportunities to be cultured in multi-faceted ways,” he said. “The Southern Belles Dance Company looks forward to greeting Arkansas’ Miss America Savvy Shields (today).”
The award-winning group is gearing up for another busy competition season, Justin Roberson said.
Their first stop is the Dance and Cheer and Dance Championship on Oct. 29 at the State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.