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Abbie Stockard didn’t grow up competing in the pageantry world, but once she started, she quickly found out how much it had to offer her.

By: Annika Pergament and Cassidy SlaminSeptember 19, 2025 Spectrum News Embed Share: Twitter Facebook Pinterest ### About Miss AmericaMiss America’s mission is Empowering Women to Lead with Purpose as the nation’s premier empowerment platform for young women. Founded in 1921, the iconic Miss America program is also America’s largest provider of tuition-only scholarship awards for

Instead of a runway show, Batsheva Hay decided to have people over for brunch at Jean’s on Lafayette. The restaurant was buzzing like on any other Sunday, with Oasis blasting through the speakers and guests crowding tables having a drink with their yogurt or salmon.

Cassie Donegan will never have to worry about student loans, and it’s all thanks to pageants.

The new Miss America, who has been competing in pageants since she was 9, told Business Insider that she graduated “100% free of any college debt” thanks to scholarship money she won through the organization.

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.

Miss New York has been crowned Miss America 2026!
Cassie Donegan has claimed victory after two nights of intense competition against dazzling contenders from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico