Upstate New York Woman Crowned Miss United States

Image courtesy Art Technically — Image courtesy: The United States National Pageants

MEMPHIS, TN (WNY News Now) – An update New York woman has been crowned “Miss United States.”

Lily Donaldson won the title this week at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee. She represented the state of New York, where she attends school as a Ph.D. student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Donaldson advocates for the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and arts education for disadvantaged K-12 students through her nonprofit, Art Technically [arttechnically.org].

“The arts teach students creativity and confidence, and STEM teaches students critical thinking and job skills. Both are necessary for a well-rounded education and both are seriously underserved in our most disadvantaged schools…I’m on a mission with Art Technically to ensure that every child has a chance to become the artists and scientists that make our world a happier, healthier, and better place,” Donaldson said during the onstage speaking competition.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from American University and a Master of Science in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is currently a second year Ph.D. student at RPI studying Controlled Environment Agriculture within the school of architecture.