Lily K. Donaldson

Lily K. Donaldson (born September 17, 1999) is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Memphis, Tennessee, who was crowned Miss United States 2022.[1] She is an advocate for STEM and Arts education for disadvantaged K-12 students.[2][3]

Lily K. Donaldson
Born
Lily K. Donaldson

(1999-09-17) September 17, 1999
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S
EducationAmerican University (BS)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (MS)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (PhD) (current)
OccupationPh.D. Student
Beauty pageant titleholder
TitleMiss United States 2022
Miss New York US 2022
Miss Tennessee US 2021
Years active2021–present
Hair colorStrawberry Blonde
Eye colorBrown
Major
competition(s)		Miss United States 2022
(Winner)
Websitelilykdonaldson.com

Donaldson previously held the titles of Miss Memphis United States 2021,[4] Miss Tennessee United States 2021,[4] and Miss New York United States 2022.[5] Donaldson was crowned Miss United States in her hometown on October 16, 2022.[1]

Early life and education

Donaldson was born on September 17, 1999, in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She attended Bolton High School, a Title 1 school part of the Memphis-Shelby County school district[1] which had defunded arts programs and a 95% math proficiency fail rate.[6] Donaldson is a first-generation college student.[7] She is currently a Ph.D. student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute studying controlled environment agriculture[1][8] within a School of Architecture Built Ecologies program.[6][9] Donaldson also has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from American University and a Master of Science in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.[4] Donaldson has previously worked for the United States Department of Homeland Security[1] and under grant from the NASA DC Space Grant Consortium.[10]

STEM and Arts Education Advocacy

Donaldson directs a nonprofit based in Memphis, Tennessee called Art Technically which promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and Arts education for disadvantaged students at Title 1 and rural K-12 schools.[11][1][6] She was inspired to found Art Technically after attending Title 1 schools with underserved arts and science programs.[6] Art Technically provides disadvantaged K-12 students with free STEM and Arts workshops, free STEM and STEAM books,[2] STEM and Arts themed toy donations including teddy bears in scientist costumes, or "Science Bears",[5] and a program called Love Letters, where students learn to code Valentine's Day cards for Meals on Wheels programs.[2][9] Art Technically also hosts a science-journalism program for students funded by Society for Science.[11][12] In 2022, Donaldson guest-wrote an article about her work with Art Technically for the U.S. Department of Education.[6]

Pageantry

Donaldson has competed in the Miss United States, Miss America, and Miss USA pageant systems.

Within the Miss United States pageant system, Donaldson has held the titles of Miss Memphis US 2021, Miss Tennessee US 2021,[4] Miss New York US 2022, and Miss United States 2022.[1] On October 16, 2022, Donaldson was crowned Miss United States at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee.[1] At Miss United States 2021, while representing Tennessee, Donaldson placed 2nd runner-up and received the People's Choice award.[4]

Within the Miss America pageant system, Donaldson has held the titles of Miss Mid-South's Outstanding Teen 2015 (Tennessee), Miss Tipton County's Outstanding Teen 2016 (Tennessee), Miss District of Columbia State Finalist 2018 and 2019,[13] and Miss Franklin County 2022 (Tennessee).[14] She performed Irish Dance for her talent and won awards for charitable fundraising and the 3rd-place Women in Business interview award at Miss Tennessee 2022[15] and the STEM Award at Miss District of Columbia 2019.[13]

Donaldson competed at Miss District of Columbia USA 2020 and placed top 12.[16]

References
  1. "Representing New York, Mid-South native named Miss United States 2022". localmemphis.com. October 17, 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  2. Nuevas, Buenas (2022-06-16). "Art Technically lleva educación STEM y artística a estudiantes de todo Tennessee". Buenas Nuevas - El hogar de la fe y la esperanza. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  3. "RPI graduate student named Miss United States". NEWS10 ABC. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  4. "Memphis woman named 2nd runner up at Miss United States 2021 pageant". localmemphis.com. October 27, 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  5. Gorenstein, Ben (2022-10-21). "RPI doctoral student home after being crowned Miss United States". WNYT.com NewsChannel 13. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  6. Donaldson, Lily (November 23, 2022). "Gratitude for Arts and Science Educators". U.S Department of Education Blog. U.S Department of Education. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  7. "STEM Day: Lily Donaldson". NEWS10 ABC. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  8. "New and Now: 6 Happenings You Need to Know About". Capital Region Living. November 17, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  9. "Tennessee Native Lily Donaldson Crowned Miss United States". Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information. 2022-10-21. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  10. Valenti |, Michael. "NASA Partnership Provides Grants for AU Research". American University. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  11. Manga, Risha (2022-08-12). "Art Technically Wins a $4,000 STEM Action Grant". Memphis Parent - Memphis, TN. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  12. Bluff City Life: Thursday , 11 August pt. 5 of 8, retrieved 2022-11-27
  13. "Past Competitions". Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Organization. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  14. "Miss Tennessee Scholarship Competition 2022 contestants tour Overton Square". www.commercialappeal.com. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  15. "Meet Miss Franklin County". Herald Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
  16. "Miss District of Columbia USA and Miss DC Teen USA results". Pageant Update. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
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