New York By Rail and The Miss New York Organization’s unique partnership continues to thrive since 2022 with six different Miss New York titleholders traversing the Empire State on 16 rail adventures through 2025, including one ascending to become Miss America 2026. The 2022 and 2023 Miss New York Destination Experiences by Rail Campaigns were awarded 2023 and 2024 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards for Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Digital Marketing Campaigns.
The Miss New York Organization is a historic nonprofit focused on propelling young girls and women forward in their education while standing as representatives of the Empire State. Not to be mistaken for being simply a beauty pageant, the Miss New York Organization takes every opportunity to provide career readiness and leadership education for young women across the state with a heavy emphasis on community initiatives and charitable events. New York By Rail continues their seamless collaboration in 2026 with the amazing Miss New York Lauren Norris (@missamericany and @newyorkbyrail). Norris is a vocalist with a deep passion for musical theatre and not only a social media powerhouse with more than one million followers; she’s a strategist who fuses digital marketing expertise with personal branding success.
Soon after taking over for Cassie Donegan, one train ride on Amtrak led to an unforgettable fall adventure for Miss New York 2025 Lauren Norris as she encountered ghost tours, golden foliage, lake cruises and small-town charm.
Norris’ three-day trip was packed full of just some of the amazing places the area has to offer, including one of her favorite activities: shopping, with The Lake George Outlets’ variety of shops. The Hyde Collection, a historic house and art museum full of incredible historical pieces and so many gorgeous paintings, provided an art history education. When the sun set and the Lake George area was blanketed in darkness, a Haunted History Ghost Tour at the Fort William Henry Museum got Norris in the Halloween mood with spinetingling ghost story tours.
Norris was left speechless by the insane views aboard the Lake George Steamboat Company’s Mohican Lakefront Cruise. Taking place on the sparkling waters of Lake George, with a crystal-clear view of the Adirondack Peaks, this must-do activity provides gorgeous foliage scenery at every turn. But her favorite part was the narration providing insight into the history of Lake George and fun facts about its legends and wildlife.
Norris enjoyed more Halloween festivities in Glens Falls, seeing its symphony Halloween family concert that left music stuck in her head for days (and not complaining). The Boo 2 You event was heartwarming with community coming together and celebrating— the spirit of Halloween in Glens Falls was truly contagious, she says.
At a thrilling night in the Electric Arena for the Adirondack Thunder, Norris sang the Star-Spangled Banner at the first game of the season to an arena full of off-the-charts energy.
Newly crowned Miss New York, Cassie Donegan enjoyed a summer escape in Syracuse, NY, beginning with a seamless transition from New York City to the Great New York State Fair by stepping right off the train onto the New York State Fairgrounds Amtrak stop in August. Donegan spent the afternoon indulging in the unique flavors of Syracuse, sampling local barbecue that was smoky, tender and melt-inyour- mouth delicious to a surprising culinary drink delight called the Dr. Pickle–a mix of Dr. Pepper, pickle slices and a splash of pickle juice to the Dairy Barn’s sweet treat!
A private tour of the Erie Canal aboard Syracuse Boat Tours was an especially meaningful experience during its 200th anniversary year. Cruising along the canal, Donegan says she couldn’t help but think about the generations of people whose lives and livelihoods had been shaped by this waterway as history came alive with fascinating stories, while also giving her a chance to simply soak in the beauty of being on the water—and even play boat captain for a few minutes!
This visit included some incredibly special moments, including meeting the only surviving baby elephant twins in North America at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and throwing out the first pitch at the Syracuse Mets minor league baseball game. Other highlights were exploring Syracuse University, the picture postcard Fingerlakes region town of Skaneateles, Tipperary Hill (a.k.a. Tip Hill, a neighborhood with proud Irish roots), Onondaga Nation (one of the original members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy) downtown Syracuse (where Donegan discovered the city’s pivotal role in the Underground Railroad) and the exhibits at the Erie Canal Museum.
Soon after Donegan’s Syracuse visit, she traveled to Orlando to compete in the Miss America 2026 competition and was crowned Miss America 2026.
Quammen enjoyed her final Miss New York train journey with a threeday adventure in the Lake George Area for the ideal summer getaway. Quammen is the Miss New York record holder with five New York By Rail trips, having previously visited the Adirondacks, Albany, Lake George and Saratoga Springs.
Her final trip with New York By Rail as Miss New York 2024 felt like the perfect sendoff: full of scenic views, meaningful conversations, small-town charm and unforgettable fun—including one-of-a-kind rail biking at Revolution Rail Co., where she took part in their Rails To Sails experience; staying at the charming Surfside On The Lake resort with stunning lake views; a historic cruise onboard the Lake George Steamboat Company and the honor of throwing out the first pitch (nerves and all!) at the Glens Falls Dragons minor league baseball game before a lively crowd; as well as a chance to meet guests, sign autographs and take in the fun of the Six Flags Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor. An adrenaline junky, Quammen enjoyed a spin on some of their most exhilarating roller coasters—including The Bobcat, the park’s newest wooden coaster, and The Comet, a fan-favorite—and fully leaned into the summer fun.
The Lake George Area—the laughter, the flavors, the sunshine— was the most beautiful sendoff to an unforgettable year of Quammen traveling the Empire State as Miss New York 2024. She relinquished her crown soon after this trip.
Abigail is a fundraising professional facilitating after-school literacy programs in Title One schools and ensuring libraries and classrooms are provided the resources and literature needed for children to succeed.
Abigail is a Masters of Business Administration candidate with the ability to connect to individuals from all backgrounds and all ages. She relies on a real and honest presence across her social media platforms to better connect with her audience.
During her time with the Miss New York Scholarship Foundation, Amelia raised awareness for Access for All. Period. an initiative that work toward bettering menstrual equity through education, destigmatization and policy change. Beyond her desire to make impactful change in the medical field, Amelia is a passionate dancer. She even recently danced alongside Lenny Kravitz at the MTV Video Music Awards.
During her time with the Miss New York, Taryn was a digital communications expert creating her own content as well as acting as consultant for numerous national and international brands. With a partnership with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Taryn was an educator and community dialogue facilitator. She created S.O.S. Support Our Shelters in 2016 spearheading clothing, book and toiletry drives to local shelters and raised thousands of dollars in donations.
