Cassie Donegan of New York was crowned Miss America 2026 on Sept. 7 in Orlando, Fla., taking the title from a field of competitors representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Donegan, 27, received a $70,000 scholarship as part of the award and will serve as the official national brand ambassador for the Miss America Opportunity.
Donegan emerged victorious after two nights of final competition that narrowed the field to five finalists. She stood above Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, Miss Florida Paris Richardson, Miss Georgia Audrey Kittila and Miss Alabama Emma Terry to claim the crown. The Miss America Organization said Donegan will use the scholarship to advance her undergraduate education and pursue a master’s degree.
Donegan currently serves as chief operating officer of the child-care company Southern Sitter LLC and is a member of Actors' Equity Association. The Miss America Organization noted that she has built a professional performance career on stages across the nation. In a statement after her victory, Donegan said, "Miss America has always been a powerful springboard for ambitious women to turn their dreams into reality. 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."
The Miss America competition, which traces its roots to a 1921 Atlantic City event held a year after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, emphasizes scholarship and leadership programs in addition to stage presentation. The organization reports it awards more than $5 million in cash scholarships each year, with additional funds distributed at national, state and local levels.
Donegan is the eighth Miss America from New York in the pageant’s more than century-long history. She was crowned Miss New York in July and said at the time that the state-level win had set her preparations in motion. "I will never be able to find the perfect words to express what this journey has meant to me," she wrote on social media after being named Miss New York, adding that she felt fortunate to be supported by her state board.
The organization has positioned itself as a major scholarship provider for young women, and many former contestants and titleholders have cited the program as opening professional and educational opportunities. As Miss America, Donegan will take on public appearances, advocacy work and speaking engagements tied to the Miss America Opportunity's scholarship mission.
Judges selected Donegan after evaluations that included talent, interview and stage presentations over the multi-night event in Orlando. The Miss America Organization said the competition included dazzling contenders from across the country and territories and highlighted the role the program plays in advancing educational pursuits.
Donegan’s win continues a long-running tradition of the Miss America program serving as a platform for scholarship and professional development. The organization, its leaders and many participants emphasize scholarship assistance and leadership opportunities as central elements of the titleholder’s responsibilities and the broader mission of the Miss America Opportunity.