This beauty queen is flying high.
Madison Marsh became the first active-duty Air Force officer to be crowned Miss America, flying ahead of the competition in Sunday night's glittering pageant.
The 22-year-old Air Force second lieutenant and Harvard Medical School graduate intern beat out 50 other contestants. to get the top spot at the 2024 Miss America pageant held in Florida over the weekend.
Marsh won the title of Miss Colorado last year and has since earned national honors with applause from leaders of her military branch and the state she represents.
U.S. Air Force: “Congratulations to our very own #Airman, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado, who was just crowned Miss America 2024.” Posted in X.
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade also cheered on the victory.
“Madison, [City of Colorado Springs] I wish you success,” he said. Posted in X. “You have inspired countless girls to dream big and reach for the stars.”
The new Miss America graduated from the Air Force Academy last year, days after winning Miss Colorado.she too Studied at Harvard Kennedy School I am pursuing a master's degree in public policy.
Marsh, an Arkansas native, had to fight his way through three nights of qualifying competitions until the field was reduced to just 11 contestants. That handful of people then faced off in his four categories, including a discussion round and evening dress presentation before a winner was chosen. CNN reported.
Miss Texas Ellie Breaux He won his first runner-up.
During the discussion round, Marsh mentioned her mother, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2018, according to CNN. Her tragic death led her to create the Whitney Marsh Foundation to raise funds for cancer research.
During the talent round, she offered a spoken word piece about getting her pilot's license at the age of 16, the outlet reported.
When asked further questions as one of the finalists, she talked about her career in the military and said it represented how she “leads and learns with passion.”
“Bringing both of my favorite parts of life together is a great experience and I hope it helps others understand that they don't have to limit themselves,” Marsh previously said in a pageant. He talked about his participation and training. Air Force.
