August 4, 2026
For residents at Morning Pointe Senior Living’s Hixson, East Hamilton, and Chattanooga communities, an ordinary summer afternoon became an unforgettable experience when Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan stopped by to spend time with them ahead of her appearance at the Morning Pointe Foundation’s 7th Annual Seniors Got Talent competition.
Ms. Donegan visited Morning Pointe of Hixson, Morning Pointe of East Hamilton, and Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford. She spent time getting to know residents, listening to their stories, answering questions about her journey to becoming Miss America, and sharing her passion for music and service.
Residents also enjoyed hearing Ms. Donegan perform, posing for photos, and experiencing the warmth and authenticity that have become hallmarks of her year of service.
As Miss America, Ms. Donegan travels the country promoting her community service initiative, “Creativity Changes Lives,” a message that resonated throughout both visits as she encouraged residents to continue embracing their passions and celebrating the creativity that enriches every stage of life.
“One of the greatest privileges of serving as Miss America is meeting people whose life experiences and wisdom inspire me,” Ms. Donegan said. “Spending time with the residents at Morning Pointe was truly special. Their warmth, kindness and passion for life reminded me exactly why I believe creativity has the power to bring people together, create meaningful connections and enrich lives at every age.”
For Pat Arnold, who has called Morning Pointe of Hixson home for nearly a decade, the visit was unlike any other she has experienced.
“In the almost 10 years I’ve lived here, this was one of the best events we’ve ever had,” Ms. Arnold said. “Miss America was incredibly down-to-earth, engaging, and so relatable to senior adults. Her story was inspiring, and her voice was absolutely tremendous. She exceeded every expectation and made this a truly unforgettable afternoon.”
Greg A. Vital, co-founder of Morning Pointe Senior Living, said the visit reflected the organization’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences that enrich residents’ lives. “At Morning Pointe, we believe some of life’s most meaningful moments come through genuine human connection,” he said. “Cassie has an extraordinary ability to make people feel seen, valued, and appreciated. Watching her spend time with our residents, listening to their stories, sharing laughter, and inspiring them through music was a beautiful reminder that joy has no age limit. We are incredibly grateful she chose to spend part of her Miss America journey with our Morning Pointe family.”
Miranda Perez, executive director of the Morning Pointe Foundation, said what stood out most was the sincere way Donegan connected with each resident. “Watching Cassie interact with our residents was incredibly heartfelt,” Ms. Perez said. “She wasn’t simply making an appearance—she took the time to sit with residents, hear their stories, and make each person feel special. Those moments of genuine connection are what our communities are all about, and seeing our residents light up throughout her visit was something I’ll never forget.”
Ms. Donegan concluded her Chattanooga visit as a special guest at the sold-out 7th Annual Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent competition at the Silverdale Center Creekside Theater. More than 550 guests attended the event, where Ms. Donegan greeted attendees during a VIP meet-and-greet, opened the show with an operatic duet alongside returning Seniors Got Talent champion Jeffrey Wells, and celebrated contestants throughout the evening. The event raised more than $42,000, with an additional nearly $2,900 raised through People’s Choice Award voting.
Read the article HERE: https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/8/4/521657/Miss-America-2026-Cassie-Donegan.aspx