A New Reign Begins
In a dazzling finale at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida, Cassie Donegan, representing New York, was crowned Miss America 2026 on the evening of September 7, 2025. The Virginia native, an accomplished actress and singer, captured the judges’ hearts and the coveted title, succeeding the outgoing Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard of Alabama. Donegan will embark on a yearlong reign as a national ambassador, earning a $50,000 scholarship to further her education and career goals.
Donegan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in musical theater from Belmont University, is also the chief operations officer at a childcare booking company in New York City. Her journey to the crown was marked by exceptional performances across all segments of the competition, including fitness, evening gown, and the on-stage question round. For the talent portion, she delivered a powerful vocal performance of “A Darker Shade of Blue” from the musical “Some Like It Hot.” Her community service initiative, “Promoting Arts Education In Our School Systems,” will be the cornerstone of her advocacy work during her year of service.
The Finalists and Top Contenders
The competition featured 52 talented women from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. After a week of preliminary events, the field was narrowed down to 11 semi-finalists before the top five were announced. The final court of honor represents a remarkable group of leaders and advocates from across the nation.
The runners-up for the Miss America 2026 title were:
- First Runner-Up: Sadie Schiermeyer, Miss Texas
- Second Runner-Up: Paris Richardson, Miss Florida
- Third Runner-Up: Audrey Kittila, Miss Georgia
- Fourth Runner-Up: Emma Terry, Miss Alabama
These finalists received scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, according to the Miss America organization. Miss Alabama, Emma Terry, also earned special recognition, placing third for the Miss America Quality of Life Award and receiving an additional $5,000 scholarship. This award honors contestants for their outstanding community service. Terry’s initiative, “Stomping Out ALS One Step at a Time,” is inspired by her experience caring for her grandfather, who had the neurodegenerative disease.
Highlights from the National Competition
The grand finale, streamed live on PageantVision.com and the official Miss America YouTube channel, was a celebration of talent, intelligence, and service. The event was hosted by model and actress Nikki Novak alongside country singer Billy Gilman. A distinguished panel of judges, including actress Mayan Lopez, fashion designer Frederick Anderson, and NFL sideline reporter Jen Hale, had the difficult task of selecting the winner.
The evening was filled with memorable moments, including a poignant final walk by the outgoing Miss America, Abbie Stockard. In a pre-recorded message, Stockard reflected on her year of service, stating, “Tonight, I leave this stage honored, grateful, and still in awe that it all really happened. Thank you, America, for letting me serve you.”
The Miss America organization continues to evolve, focusing on empowering women through scholarships and providing a platform for them to champion important social causes. As reported by digitaltrendstoday.com, the competition emphasizes leadership, talent, and communication skills, preparing contestants for success in any field they choose. With the crown now passed, Cassie Donegan is poised to continue this legacy, inspiring a new generation of young women across the country.
