By Aaron Miller-
U.S. Air Force officer Madison Marsh,(pictured) also a Harvard University graduate student studying public policy, secured the title of Miss America 2024.
Representing the state of Colorado, Marsh not only added another achievement to her impressive resume, but also marked a historic milestone by becoming the first active-duty military service member to be crowned Miss America in the pageant’s century-long history.
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At 22 years old, Marsh had already established herself as an accomplished officer in the U.S. Air Force and a dedicated student at Harvard. Prior to her Miss America victory, she entered the U.S. Air Force Academy as a cadet with a pilot’s license, aspiring to become an astronaut by around 2020.
Additionally, Marsh enrolled in graduate-level public policy classes at the Harvard Kennedy School through a special partnership with the Air Force, showcasing her commitment to both military service and academic excellence.
Marsh’s journey to the Miss America crown began during her first year at the Air Force Academy, where she decided to participate in pageants to engage in community service and enhance her public speaking skills.
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Her dedication led to her being crowned Miss Colorado in May, a title that qualified her for the prestigious Miss America pageant.
For the talent portion of the contest held in Orlando, Florida, Marsh delivered a powerful monologue recounting the challenges she overcame during her first solo flight as a pilot at the age of 16.
The U.S. Air Force was quick to congratulate Marsh on her historic win, emphasizing her status as the first active-duty service member to achieve the Miss America title.
The official U.S. Air Force Twitter account, now known as X, wrote, “Congratulations to our very own airman, 2nd Lt Madison Marsh, Miss Colorado – who was just crowned Miss America 2024! Marsh is the first active duty service member to ever win the title. #AimHigh.”
In an Instagram post following her victory, Marsh expressed her excitement about representing women who can break stereotypes. She dedicated her win to her late mother, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2018, and encouraged others by stating, “You can achieve anything.
‘If I can come from a small town, not being a part of the pageant community, step into this role, so can you.”
Looking ahead, Marsh plans to utilize her year-long reign as Miss America to raise public awareness about pancreatic cancer through a research and advocacy foundation named after her mother, Whitney Marsh.
In a heartfelt message to her mother, she wrote, “The world is about to know your story, light, and love.”
Madison Marsh’s victory not only highlights her exceptional accomplishments but also serves as an inspiring symbol of breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes in both the military and the world of beauty pageants.
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