Miss New York has been crowned Miss America 2026!
Cassie Donegan has claimed victory after two nights of intense competition against dazzling contenders from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The 27-year-old stunner emerged victorious at the Orlando, Fla., ceremony on Sept. 7, becoming just the eighth person from New York to hold the coveted title in more than a century.
Donegan’s win was made sweeter with an eye-popping $70,000 scholarship check.
“Miss America has always been a powerful springboard for ambitious women to turn their dreams into reality,” she said following her win.
“I am honored to represent an organization that provides scholarships, resources, and a platform for women to lead — and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to bring that mission to life.”
Donegan plans to use the scholarship money to help her fund her undergraduate education, as well as her quest to obtain a master’s degree, according to the Miss America organization.
Currently, Donegan serves as a COO of the child care company Southern Sitter LLC and is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association.
She has “built a professional performance career on stages across the nation, sharing the spotlight with some of the industry’s most celebrated talents,” the Miss America organization said in a press release.
Her shiny new title placed her above the other four finalists, which included Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, Miss Florida Paris Richardson, Miss Georgia Audrey Kittila and Miss Alabama Emma Terry.
Donegan had her sights set on the Miss America title ever since she was crowned Miss New York in July.
“I will never be able to find the perfect words to express what this journey has meant to me, but I’ll start with the simplest: thank you,” she wrote at the time.
“Miss America prep is officially underway, and I could not be more honored to serve New York in this way. This state—diverse, driven, resilient—is home.”
And ahead of the main competition earlier this month, she gushed over how proud she was to represent New York.
“To be supported on this journey by a state board as incredible as mine is every girl’s dream — and I’m beyond lucky to call that my reality,” she added.
Donegan will now serve as the official national brand ambassador for the Miss America Opportunity.
The annual competition was born from a 1921 Atlantic City beauty contest just a year after women were given the right to vote.
Many participants say the organization — a large provider of scholarship assistance to young women — has been life-altering, opening doors for them both personally and professionally.
The organization, one of the nation’s most recognized brands, awards more than $5 million in cash scholarships annually, plus millions more at the national, state and local levels.
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