Miss America Title Goes to Active Duty Air Force Officer for the First Time

Photo by@Miss America/dailymail.co

• Madison Marsh, a 22-year-old US Air Force fighter pilot, was crowned Miss America, becoming the first active-duty officer to win this title.
• Marsh, originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, was previously crowned Miss Colorado in May 2023.
• She is currently training to be a Top Gun fighter pilot and is a Harvard University graduate.

Madison Marsh, a 22-year-old United States Air Force (USAF) fighter pilot, made history by being crowned Miss America in a ceremony held in Orlando, Florida.

Hailing from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Marsh was awarded the title on Sunday night, following her previous win as Miss Colorado in May 2023. She stands out as the first active-duty officer from any military branch to achieve this distinction in the Miss America organization.

The event was highly competitive, with 51 contestants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The runner-up was Miss Texas, Ellie Breaux, followed by Miss Indiana Cydney Bridges, Miss Kentucky Mallory Hudson, and Miss Rhode Island Caroline Parente.

Marsh's journey to this achievement is as remarkable as the win itself. She is a National Truman Scholar, a two-time National Astronaut scholar, and holds numerous academic distinctions from the Air Force. Additionally, she is a certified private pilot and a black belt in taekwondo. Her multifaceted talents were showcased in the competition, which included a fitness showcase, a discussion round on various topics, a talent performance, and an evening gown presentation.

Her speech during the competition, where she recounted her first solo flight at 16, exemplified her leadership skills and ability to engage the audience. Marsh's commitment to service and leadership was evident as she spoke about her goals as Miss America, blending her military background with her advocacy work.

Beyond the pageantry, Marsh is a graduate of Harvard University and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). Her passion for flying began at a young age, leading her to earn a pilot's license at 17. As Miss Colorado, she has been an advocate for dispelling stereotypes about military women and encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams without limits.

Marsh is currently focused on determining her career path in the Air Force, with interests in both flying and cancer research. This interest stems from the loss of her mother to pancreatic cancer, motivating her to start a nonprofit for cancer awareness and research. She is also pursuing a master's degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, aiming to contribute to cancer policy and research, particularly in early detection of pancreatic cancer.

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