[ORLANDO, FL] September 7, 2025 — In a historic moment for the Miss America Organization, all 52 candidates competing for the title of Miss America were awarded tuition scholarships live on stage during the Miss America 2026 final competition at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida. Each non-finalist received a $3,000 scholarship, while semi-finalists (AR, TN, MD, MS, KY, and IL) were awarded $4,000 scholarships. These additional scholarships were made possible thanks to the generous support of the Porter Family.
4th Runner-Up Miss Alabama, Emma Terry, received a $5,000 scholarship; 3rd Runner-Up Miss Georgia, Audrey Kittila, received a $6,000 scholarship; 2nd Runner-Up Miss Florida, Paris Richardson, received an $8,000 scholarship; 1st Runner-Up Miss Texas, Sadie Schiermeyer, received a $10,000 scholarship; and Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan, received a $50,000 scholarship. In total, the Miss America Organization awarded over $300,000 in tuition scholarships at the 2026 national competition, distributed through the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization.
The announcement underscored Miss America’s enduring mission of empowering women to lead. Each candidate, representing every state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, was recognized not only for her pursuit of personal and professional growth but also for her dedication to inspiring others as positive role models across the country.
The Miss America Organization remains the nation’s leading provider of tuition scholarships to young women, distributing millions in financial assistance annually. This year’s on-stage awards highlight the Organization’s ongoing commitment to service, education, and empowerment, honoring each state ambassador’s achievements and her dedication to inspiring others as a positive force for change in communities at the local, state, and national levels.
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About Miss America
Miss America is the nation’s premier empowerment platform for young women, with service to community at the core of its impact. Participants pursue personal and professional growth while inspiring others as positive role models. With its mission of Empowering Women to Lead, Miss America is also the largest provider of tuition scholarships for women in the United States, distributed through the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization.