The Crossville Chronicle reports that Cassie Donegan, a familiar face to Cumberland County Playhouse audiences as the narrator in their 2019 production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, was crowned Miss America 2026 after competing against 52 delegates over two nights. The 27-year-old, the eighth Miss New York to win the title in the organization’s 104-year history, earned over $70,000 in scholarships through the Miss America program, supporting her undergraduate education and ongoing pursuit of a master’s degree.

Raised in a non-traditional household, Donegan found empowerment through the arts, which now fuels her Community Service Initiative, Promoting Arts Education in Our School Systems. For nearly two decades, she has advocated for accessible arts education, creating youth theater curricula, a K-12 S.T.E.A.M. masterclass, and three scholarship funds.

As chief operations officer of Southern Sitter LLC, she has helped expand a women-led childcare business, fostering flexible career opportunities for hundreds of women. A member of Actor’s Equity Association, Donegan has performed alongside notable talents nationwide. As Miss America, she will serve as a global ambassador, championing arts education, scholarship, and empowerment.

The Cumberland County Playhouse celebrated her victory, with social media posts expressing pride in her achievements.