[WASHINGTON, D.C.] September 27, 2025 — Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan, attended The Kennedy Center Gala benefiting the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) where she joined civic leaders, arts patrons, and distinguished guests in celebrating the Orchestra’s milestone 95th Anniversary Season.
The evening, held in the iconic Concert Hall, marked the beginning of the 2025–2026 performance season, the Orchestra’s ninth under the musical direction of Gianandrea Noseda, whose contract was recently extended through 2031. Donegan spotlighted her service initiative, Promoting Arts Education in our School Systems, which advocates for expanding student access to arts programs nationwide.
Cassie walked the red carpet in the Hall of States and enjoyed a pre-concert gala dinner in the Arts and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy Exhibit and Nations Gallery, followed by a spectacular Season Opening Concert. The program, led by Maestro Noseda, featured the brilliance of world-renowned pianist Yuja Wang in Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto. American voices were also showcased, including Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Carlos Simon’s Warmth from Other Suns. The evening concluded with Rimsky-Korsakov’s colorful Capriccio Espagnol.
As the National Symphony Orchestra enters its 95th season, Miss America celebrates the importance of arts accessibility and education, while highlighting the National Symphony Orchestra’s enduring role in American cultural life.
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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.