By: Amaris Encinas
September 9, 2025
Miss America has officially taken a bite of the “Big Apple.”
Cassandra “Cassie” Donegan, a New York transplant, became the 98th woman to earn the title of Miss America and the 8th Miss New York to earn the crown on Sunday, Sept. 7, following two nights of preliminary competition, including a talent portion.
Donegan, who was crowned Miss New York in July, went on to defeat contestants from all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, to win the title of Miss America.
Held at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida, Donegan, 27, was crowned by previous winner Abbie Stockard from Alabama and later welcomed into the sisterhood by former Miss America contestants.
In addition to the crown and new title, Donegan won more than $70,000 in scholarships through the Miss America program, which will help finance her undergraduate and postgraduate education.
“Miss America has always been a powerful springboard for ambitious women to turn their dreams into reality,” Donegan said in a statement. “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.”
Here’s what to know about Miss America 2026.
Who is Cassie Donegan?
According to the “About Me” section on Donegan’s website, she is a “typical southern girl” who was born and raised in “Little Town Nowhere, VA.” She is actually from Smithfield, Virginia, something the town acknowledged in a Sept. 8 Facebook post, saying, “Guess where the 2026 Miss America is originally from? Congrats to Cassie Donegan for making Smithfield proud!”
You can usually find Donegan “running barefoot with her messy, curly hair flowing somewhere outside,” her “About Me” section reads.
“I grew up singing on my little church stage, which eventually led me to some pretty exciting places,” Miss America’s bio says. “I moved to Nashville, TN to attend Belmont University in their award winning BFA Musical Theatre program. Post college, I have had the privilege of stepping on some incredible stages across our country.”
Donegan moved to New York City after graduating from Belmont University, the Smithfield Times in Virginia reported.
“My family is my rock, my pups are my joy…and sushi and avocados are my weakness,” Donegan wrote in her bio. “In short – I’m just a goofball who loves to laugh, loves fully and unconditionally, and is darn lucky that I get to play and tell stories for a living!”
Performing and pageantry aside, Donegan has also dabbled in advocacy work and entrepreneurship over the years, serving as chief operations officer of Southern Sitter LLC, a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and as the brains behind “Promoting Arts Education in Our School Systems,” a community service initiative.
What will Cassie Donegan’s duties be as Miss America?
During her tenure as Miss America, Donegan will serve as the national brand ambassador for “Miss America Opportunity,” a year-round program of “Style, Service, Scholarship and Success,” which are the four pillars of the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen crown.
Donegan will travel across the globe to “champion arts education, promote scholarship and service, and empower individuals of all ages to embrace their creativity and achieve their full potential,” according to a Miss America news release.
Miss America Opportunity, per the storied organization, awards over $5 million in tuition scholarships and provides an additional $35 million in-kind scholarships through its national, state, and local programs.
Read the article HERE: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/09/09/miss-america-2026-winner-cassie-donegan-miss-new-york/86059622007/
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