Press

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

The Miss America 2026 competition takes place Sunday, Sept. 7, at The Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Fla., where the reigning Miss America Abbie Stockard will crown her successor.

Cassie Donegan has a new crown.

Miss America has crowned its new winner!

On Sunday, Sept. 7, the storied organization hosted its national pageant at Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Fla., and crowned Cassie Donegan, 27, who represented New York after winning the state pageant this past July. In addition to the crown, sash and title, she will claim a $50,000 tuition scholarship as part of her victory prize.