Wed Sep 10 09:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text:
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Miss New York Crowned Miss America 2026**
**LAS VEGAS, NV – January 14, 2026** – Cassie Donegan, representing New York, has been crowned Miss America 2026. The 27-year-old secured the title on Sunday after a two-night competition held in Las Vegas, besting delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Donegan is the 98th woman to hold the prestigious Miss America title and the eighth from New York to achieve this honor.
Beyond the coveted crown, Donegan will receive $70,000 in scholarship money to further her education.
A staunch advocate for arts and education, Donegan’s community service initiative, “Promoting Arts Education in Our School Systems,” will be a focal point of her year of service.
Outside of the Miss America organization, Donegan currently serves as COO of the child care company Southern Sitter LLC and has also built a strong career in entertainment as a member of the Actor’s Equity Association.
The Miss America Organization released a statement praising Donegan’s commitment to both business and the arts, highlighting her performance career on stages across the nation and sharing the spotlight with the industry’s most celebrated talents.
First Piper 