Cassie Donegan Crowned Miss America 2026 in Orlando

ORLANDO- Cassie Donegan, Miss New York, won the Miss America 2026 title tonight at the Walt Disney Theater, earning a $70,000 scholarship and succeeding Abbie Stockard in the 98th crowning of the iconic pageant.

Nut Graf The 23-year-old childcare executive impressed judges with her musical theater talent and advocacy for arts education, underscoring Miss America’s scholarship‐focused mission and spotlighting creative arts access amid ongoing organizational reforms.

Key Details

• Winner: Cassie Donegan (Miss New York)
• Scholarship Awarded: $70,000 total in cash and in-kind scholarships
• Venue: Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando, Florida
• Delegates: 52 contestants representing all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico
• Outgoing Titleholder: Abbie Stockard (Miss America 2025, Alabama)

Platform and Background

Donegan, Chief Operations Officer of Southern Sitter LLC, champions “Promoting Arts Education in Our School Systems.” Raised in a non-traditional household, she founded three scholarship funds and directs youth theater curricula to ensure every child’s creative expression.

Competition Highlights

• Top Five Finalists:
  • Sadie Schiermeyer (1st Runner-Up, Texas)
  • Paris Richardson (2nd Runner-Up, Florida)
  • Audrey Kittila (3rd Runner-Up, Georgia)
  • Emma Terry (4th Runner-Up, Alabama)
• Celebrity Judges: Mayan Lopez, Frederick Anderson, Frank Kelleher, Jen Hale, Tawny Godin Welch
• Preliminary Rounds: Talent, On-Stage Question, Community Service, and Evening Wear segments preceded the finals.

Organizational Impact

As Miss America’s national ambassador, Donegan will travel globally to promote scholarships, service and arts advocacy. Her win reinforces the pageant’s evolution toward inclusivity and empowerment under its nonprofit scholarship foundation.

Cassie Donegan’s authentic presence and arts education platform promise to shape Miss America’s outreach over the coming year.