YORK COUNTY — Cassie Donegan, a former Hampton Roads resident, was crowned Miss America during the annual competition last weekend in Orlando.
Donegan, a graduate of York County School of the Arts, is using her community service initiative, ‘Promoting Arts Education in Our School Systems,’ to increase access to arts education for all students.
According to the Miss America Organization, for nearly two decades, she has championed every child’s right to creative expression, directing and designing youth theatre curricula, curating a K-12 S.T.E.A.M. masterclass and founding three scholarship funds to bridge accessibility gaps in arts education.
Representing New York in the 2026 Miss America pageant, Donegan won the preliminary talent portion of the competition for her vocal performance. She is the eighth Miss New York to win the national title and the 98th winner of the pageant overall.
“Miss America has always been a powerful springboard for ambitious women to turn their dreams into reality,” Donegan shared. “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.”
Beyond her advocacy for the performing arts, Donegan also serves as Chief Operations Officer of Southern Sitter LLC, a women-led childcare company she helped expand into a multi-faceted, multi-state business. Under her leadership, the company has created flexible career opportunities and financial stability for hundreds of women — empowering them to balance their work, families and passions.
She is also a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, having built a professional performance career on stages across the nation, sharing the spotlight with some of the industry’s most celebrated talents.
In June, Yorktown’s Centerstage Academy welcomed Donegan to special alumni performances of “Newsies” at the James-York Playhouse.
Donegan is no stranger to pageants, having also been crowned as Miss Virginia’s Teen in 2013 and Miss New York Volunteer in 2024.
In addition to serving as Miss America for the year, Donegan also earned $70,000 in scholarships that will go toward earning a master’s degree.
As Miss America, Donegan will serve as the official national brand ambassador for the Miss America Opportunity, traveling worldwide to champion arts education, promote scholarship and service, and empower individuals of all ages to embrace their creativity and achieve their full potential.