It was an unforgettable weekend for Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell.
The brunette beauty handed over her Miss America crown and title to 2017 winner Savvy Shields on Sunday, September 11, and also became a future Mrs. when her boyfriend, Spencer Maxwell, asked her to become his bride.
Savvy Shields, Betty Cantrell, Lynn Weidner and Hannah Brewer appear onstage during the 2017 Miss America Competition at Boardwalk Hall Arena on September 11, 2016 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Donald Kravitz/Getty Images for dcp)
The 22-year old Georgia native was filled with excitement as she took to social media, sharing her engagement news via Entertainment Tonight‘s Snapchat account – along with a black and white closeup of her new sparkling ring. “Btw I’m engaged now!!!!!!!! #missamerica2016out,” the beauty queen gushed.
Not long after making the initial announcement, the soon-to-be bride logged into her brand new personal Instagram account to post a stunning image of herself wearing her crown and engagement ring while snuggling up to her new fiance.
“And now finally I can say my Fiance!” Cantrell captioned the photo. “To the man who let me be Miss America for a year, to the man who is moving to Nashville with me to help me achieve my dreams as a country music singer, to the man who so selflessly lets me shine, to the man who never gave up on me… to the love of my life. Forever and always, your dreams are my dreams. I love you Spinny. #tonewdreams #truelove #fiance #engaged #finally.”
The bride-to-be followed up with a full color shot of her engagement ring along with the message, “Because I’m OBSESSED!!!!! @spinnymoose knows how to pick a ring. #engaged #fiance #finally #rock #cushioncut.”
A photo posted by Betty Cantrell (@bettycantrellmusic) on
The former Miss America and her beau dated for nearly a year and a half before becoming engaged – and it seems Maxwell may have been thinking longterm for quite some time.
“As Miss America, Betty isn’t allowed to post about me so I let her choose this picture for my Instagram post,” he shared via Instagram back in April. “One year ago today I met the person that makes me the happiest/luckiest man in the entire world.”
“The events that have taken place this year are remarkable and yet our love has never wavered,” the future groom continued. “We have stayed true to ourselves and each other. We have not let the success and distance draw us apart, in fact we have been drawn closer together because of it.”
“There’s no post that I could make that would be able to explain how much I love you Betty,” Maxwell added. “I’m so blessed that you could be home for our anniversary, that was God for sure. To my best friend, my girlfriend, and my soul mate, I love you sooo much. Here’s to forever! I love you Betty. YDAMD (Your Dreams Are My Dreams).”
Although she was basking in the excitement of her engagement news on Sunday evening, Cantrell took time out to wish her successor the best after handing over her crown. “THERE SHE IS!” she captioned a photo alongside Shields. “Your Miss America 2017! I couldn’t be happier. Savvy, you absolutely deserve this and I have full confidence in you to be an incredible representative. Love you so much already! #theresheis #savvyshields #welcometothesisterhood.”
A photo posted by Betty Cantrell (@bettycantrellmusic) on
