New York's Cassie Donegan Wins Miss America 2026

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cassie Donegan, Miss New York, has been crowned Miss America 2026 after two inspiring nights of preliminary competition featuring 52 delegates representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Cassie becomes the 98th woman to hold the iconic Miss America title in the brand's 104-year history, and the 8th Miss New York to earn the crown.

Cassie has earned more than $70,000 in scholarships through the Miss America program, funding her undergraduate education and supporting her pursuit of a master's degree.

Raised in a non-traditional household, Cassie found refuge in the arts—a space where she felt safe, seen, and empowered. That connection now drives her Community Service Initiative, "Promoting Arts Education in Our School Systems." For nearly two decades, she has championed every child's right to creative expression, directing and designing youth theatre curricula, curating a K-12 S.T.E.A.M. masterclass, and founding three scholarship funds to bridge accessibility gaps in arts education.

Beyond her advocacy, Cassie serves as Chief Operations Officer of Southern Sitter LLC, a women-led childcare company she helped expand into a multi-faceted, multi-state business. Under her leadership, the company has created flexible career opportunities and financial stability for hundreds of women—empowering them to balance their work, families, and passions.

Cassie is also a proud member of Actor's Equity Association, having built a professional performance career on stages across the nation, sharing the spotlight with some of the industry's most celebrated talents.

"Miss America has always been a powerful springboard for ambitious women to turn their dreams into reality," Cassie shared. "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."

The final night of competition, hosted by Nikki Novak and Billy Gilman, featured a celebrity judging panel including Mayan Lopez, Frederick Anderson, Frank Kelleher, Jen Hale, and Tawny Godin Welch. The event took place at the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida.

Each year, the Miss America Opportunity awards over $5 million in tuition scholarships and provides an additional $35 million in-kind scholarships through its national, state, and local programs.

Cassie earned the crown after advancing through multiple rounds of competition and placing in the Top 5 finalists alongside Sadie Schiermeyer (1st Runner-Up, TX), Paris Richardson (2nd Runner-Up, FL), Audrey Kittila (3rd Runner-Up, GA), and Emma Terry (4th Runner-Up, AL). Semi-finalists included Kennedy Holland (AR), Zoe Scheiderich (TN), Maria Derisavi (MD), Anna Leah Jolly (MS), Ariana Rodriguez (KY), and Nitsaniyah Fitch (IL).

As Miss America, Cassie will serve as the official national brand ambassador for the Miss America Opportunity, traveling worldwide to champion arts education, promote scholarship and service, and empower individuals of all ages to embrace their creativity and achieve their full potential.

About Miss America
Miss America is the nation's leading empowerment and service platform for young women, supporting their personal and professional growth while inspiring them to serve as positive role models in their communities. Since 1921, Miss America has been dedicated to its mission of "Empowering Women to Lead," engaging thousands of young women nationwide, ages 14-28, as local and state brand ambassadors committed to community service. Through the Miss America's Scholarship Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3), the program awards the largest amount of scholarships to women in America.

Contact: Miss America Press
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Miss America Organization