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Lily K. Donaldson

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Lily K. Donaldson
Born
Lily K. Donaldson

(1999-09-17) September 17, 1999 (age 24)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S
EducationAmerican University (BS)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (MS)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (PhD) (current)
OccupationPh.D. Candidate
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

Lily K. Donaldson (born September 17, 1999) is an American advocate for STEM and Arts education for disadvantaged K-12 students.[1][2] She was crowned Miss United States 2022 with a charitable platform to promote arts and science education.[3] She is the first Miss United States to visit all 50 U.S. states during her reign.[4]

Donaldson was crowned Miss United States 2022 in her hometown (Memphis, Tennessee) on October 16, 2022.[3]

Early life and education

[edit]

Donaldson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She has a twin sister named Cara.[5] She attended McCordsville Elementary School in Indianapolis,[6] Newburgh Elementary School in Newburgh, Indiana,[7][8] Bon Lin Middle School in Bartlett, Tennessee,[9] and Bolton High School, a Title 1 school part of the Memphis-Shelby County school district[3] which had defunded arts programs and a 95% math proficiency fail rate.[10] Donaldson participated in student theatre[5] and student journalism programs[11][12] while growing up. She participated in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.[12] Donaldson is a first-generation college student.[13]

Donaldson is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute studying controlled environment agriculture[3][14] within a School of Architecture Built Ecologies program.[10][15] Donaldson has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from American University and a Master of Science in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.[16] While at American University, she worked in vision scientist Arthur Shapiro's lab.[5]

STEM and Arts Education Advocacy

[edit]

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.[17][3][10] She was inspired to found Art Technically after attending Title 1 schools with underserved arts and science programs.[10][18] Art Technically provides disadvantaged K-12 students with free STEM and Arts workshops (include a workshop on Astrobotany),[5][19] free STEM and STEAM books,[1] STEM and Arts themed toy donations including teddy bears in scientist costumes, or "Science Bears",[20][21] and a program called Love Letters, where students learn to code Valentine's Day cards for Meals on Wheels programs.[1][15] Art Technically also hosted a science-journalism program for students funded by Society for Science in 2022.[17][22]

In 2022, Donaldson guest-wrote an article about her work with Art Technically for the U.S. Department of Education.[10] In 2023, Donaldson led an ISS Downlink with NASA where students at Brighton Elementary School in Tipton County, Tennessee asked questions to astronauts aboard the International Space Station.[23][24][25] In 2024, Donaldson gave a keynote on the importance of STEM education at the AI Expo for National Competitiveness in Washington, DC.[18]

Civil Service

[edit]

While she was an undergraduate student at American University, Donaldson worked for the United States Department of Homeland Security as a Student Trainee,[3][5] under grant from the NASA DC Space Grant Consortium,[26] and on a capstone project with the United States Department of Energy.[5]

In 2023, Donaldson became a research assistant at NASA's Climate Change Research Initiative at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies.[5][4][24] The program has educators and graduate students work directly with NASA scientists to lead research teams in a NASA research project related to Climate Change.[27] While at GISS, Donaldson led an ISS Downlink with NASA where students at Brighton Elementary School in Tipton County, Tennessee asked questions to astronauts aboard the International Space Station,[23][24][25] taught solar eclipse programming and distributed eclipse glasses to students in Auburn, New York,[28][29] and hosted an astrobotany workshop for students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Black Families Technology Awareness Day.[30]

Year as Miss United States

[edit]
Miss United States with WWII Rosies at Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
Miss United States 2022, Lily K. Donaldson, sits in a NASA helicopter during a tour of Kennedy Space Center.

Donaldson was crowned Miss United States 2022 in her hometown (Memphis, Tennessee) on October 16, 2022.[3] She is the first Miss United States to visit all 50 U.S. states during her reign.[4] During her year as Miss United States, Donaldson guest-wrote an article about her work with Art Technically for the U.S. Department of Education[10] and was named to the Memphis Flyer's 2023 Memphis 20 under 30 list.[31]

During her reign, Donaldson visited public libraries to donate books and present science storytimes in Hiawatha, Kansas,[32] Hamburg, Iowa,[33] Cokeville, Wyoming,[34] Dearborn Heights, Michigan,[35] Hankinson, North Dakota,[36] Bozeman, Montana,[37] and Lordsburg, New Mexico.[38] She also visited students at the Kurn Hattin Children's Home for Valentine's Day[39] and seniors at the Meals on Wheels program in Bennington, Vermont.[40] She presented science storytimes at her alma mater, Newburgh Elementary School in Newburgh, Indiana.[7]

Donaldson participated in the 2023 Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade,[41] community Christmas festivities in Indianapolis,[42] a Halloween parade in Menands, New York,[43] a STEM festival and health fair in New Orleans, Louisiana,[44] and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu.[45] She toured Kennedy Space Center facilities and attended NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 Launch in August 2023.[46][7][47]

Pageantry

[edit]

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,[16] Miss New York US 2022, and Miss United States 2022.[3] On October 16, 2022, Donaldson was crowned Miss United States at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee.[3] At Miss United States 2021, while representing Tennessee, Donaldson placed 2nd runner-up and received the People's Choice award.[16]

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,[48] and Miss Franklin County 2022 (Tennessee).[49] 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[50] and the STEM Award at Miss District of Columbia 2019.[48]

Donaldson competed at Miss District of Columbia USA 2020 and placed top 12.[51]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss United States
2022 		Succeeded by

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Nuevas, Buenas (June 16, 2022). "Art Technically lleva educación STEM y artística a estudiantes de todo Tennessee". Buenas Nuevas - El hogar de la fe y la esperanza. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "RPI graduate student named Miss United States". NEWS10 ABC. October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Representing New York, Mid-South native named Miss United States 2022". localmemphis.com. October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Gorenstein, Ben (October 30, 2023). "Miss United States from RPI passes crown after whirlwind year". WNYT.com NewsChannel 13. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Pursuing Purpose: The Beauty of STEM". American University. November 1, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Daily Reporter from Greenfield, Indiana". Newspapers.com. June 15, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Shemwell, El'Agance (September 7, 2023). "Miss United States visits Newburgh Elementary School". WEVV 44News. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "Evansville Living November/December 2023 by Evansville Living Magazine - Issuu". issuu.com. November 3, 2023. p. 36. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  9. ^ Bartlett City Schools (September 22, 2023). "X, formerly Twitter". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f 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.
  11. ^ Phillips, Bianca (August 11, 2016). "Memphis Flyer 8.11.16 by Contemporary Media - Issuu". issuu.com. pp. 6–9. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "2015 2016 Staff". The Teen Appeal. September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "STEM Day: Lily Donaldson". NEWS10 ABC. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  14. ^ "New and Now: 6 Happenings You Need to Know About". Capital Region Living. November 17, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Tennessee Native Lily Donaldson Crowned Miss United States". Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information. October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "Memphis woman named 2nd runner up at Miss United States 2021 pageant". localmemphis.com. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Manga, Risha (August 12, 2022). "Art Technically Wins a $4,000 STEM Action Grant". Memphis Parent - Memphis, TN. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Summary - AI Expo for National Competitiveness". web.cvent.com. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "Tennessee STEM Innovation Network". www.tsin.org. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  20. ^ Gorenstein, Ben (October 21, 2022). "RPI doctoral student home after being crowned Miss United States". WNYT.com NewsChannel 13. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  21. ^ "Lily K. Donaldson - Customer Spotlight". www.plushinarush.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  22. ^ Bluff City Life: Thursday , 11 August pt. 5 of 8, August 12, 2022, retrieved November 27, 2022
  23. ^ a b "Tipton County elementary school to chat with astronauts living in space". State Gazette. November 6, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c Space Station Crew Answers Brighton, Tennessee Student Questions - Nov. 8, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  25. ^ a b "Tennessee Students Selected for Q&A Session with International Space Station Astronauts". www.tn.gov. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  26. ^ Valenti |, Michael (July 8, 2019). "NASA Partnership Provides Grants for AU Research". American University. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  27. ^ "Climate Change Research Initiative". National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
  28. ^ "Eclipse is an unique learning opportunity for Auburn students | Auburn School District". www.aecsd.education. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Citizen, Robert Harding, The (April 8, 2024). "Video: NASA research assistant talks eclipse in Auburn". The Citizen. Retrieved May 14, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "Programs | Black Families Technology Awareness Day". bftad.admissions.rpi.edu. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  31. ^ "20 < 30 – The Class of 2023". MemphisFlyer. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  32. ^ May, Joey (June 6, 2023). "Library hosts Miss United States". Hiawatha World Online. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  33. ^ "Miss United States visits kids at Hamburg Public Library". The Hamburg Reporter. June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "Miss United States visits local library". Kemmerer Gazette. August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  35. ^ "Miss United States, STEM and arts education advocate, donates books to Dearborn Heights library". Press and Guide. July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  36. ^ "Miss United States visits Hankinson Public Library". Daily News & News Monitor. July 24, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  37. ^ "Storytime with Miss United States at the Montana Science Center | Montana Science Center, Bozeman, MT | August 18, 2023". happeningnext.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  38. ^ "This week's Herald — Hidalgo Herald". June 14, 2023. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  39. ^ "Miss United States visits Kurn Hattin Homes". Brattleboro Reformer. February 21, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  40. ^ "Miss United States visits Meals on Wheels in Bennington". NEWS10 ABC. February 17, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  41. ^ Limited, Alamy. "Miss United States waving at 2023 South Boston St. Patrick's Day and Evacuation Day Parade Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  42. ^ "Snapshot: Lawrence kicks off Winterfest • Current Publishing". December 6, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  43. ^ Gorenstein, Ben (October 21, 2022). "RPI doctoral student home after being crowned Miss United States". WNYT.com NewsChannel 13. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  44. ^ NOheadlines (August 17, 2023). "STEM NOLA's STEM Fest and Health Fair Saturday, Aug. 19th". New Orleans Newswire (Press release). Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  45. ^ Staff REPORT (December 19, 2022). "Local high school cheerleaders perform in Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade". Hannibal.net. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  46. ^ NASA HQ PHOTO (August 23, 2023), NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 Preflight (NHQ202308230002), retrieved September 8, 2023
  47. ^ Crew-7 NASA Social Panel Live Stream event at Kennedy, retrieved September 8, 2023
  48. ^ a b "Past Competitions". Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Organization. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  49. ^ "Miss Tennessee Scholarship Competition 2022 contestants tour Overton Square". www.commercialappeal.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  50. ^ "Meet Miss Franklin County". Herald Chronicle. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  51. ^ "Miss District of Columbia USA and Miss DC Teen USA results". Pageant Update. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
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