Madison Marsh (Miss America 2024), is an Active-Duty Air Force Officer

Paresh Jadhav

10 months ago

Madison Marsh, Miss America 2024 and Harvard graduate student is the inaugural active-duty service member to win this competition. Additionally, according to her official pageant biography she founded and runs The Whitney Marsh Foundation to raise money for pancreatic cancer research.

Orlando will host the contest featuring 51 contestants representing all 50 states and D.C. as well as Terrence J, Cynthia Bailey, Nancy G Brinker, Susan Malzoni, David Tutera and Elena Cardone as judges.

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Madison Marsh the first active-duty Air Force officer to win the title

Madison Marsh, an Air Force second lieutenant and master’s student at Harvard Kennedy School, became the first active-duty service member ever to win Miss America, defeating 50 contestants during an Orlando pageant held over the weekend. She replaced Grace Stanke from Wisconsin as 2023 Miss America Grace Stanke will travel as brand ambassador.

22-year-old from Fort Smith, Arkansas graduated from the Air Force Academy with a degree in physics focusing on astronomy and is currently serving as a bomber pilot. Additionally, she cofounded the Whitney Marsh Foundation with her family in honor of their late mother who died of pancreatic cancer and has raised over $250K for research and patient support since 2018.

At the main event, Marsh was selected as one of 11 semifinalists out of 51 contestants representing all 50 states and D.C. The competitors competed in four rounds: fitness showcase (a runway walk wearing rhinestone-embellished athleisure), discussion round on various topics, talent performance and evening gown presentation before an eventual winner was named.

She’s a physics graduate from the Air Force Academy

Madison Marsh, 22, from Colorado won the 2024 Miss America pageant and represents Harvard Kennedy School’s public policy program as she pursues her master’s degree. Marsh beat 51 other contestants from across 50 states and Washington DC to claim victory – her victory being celebrated with a post by Air Force Academy via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) featuring photos of Marsh in uniform wearing her crown.

Marsh is taking over for 2023 winner Grace Stanke from Wisconsin as she entered into discussion for her late mother’s battle against pancreatic cancer and performing an emotional spoken-word piece about receiving her pilot license at age 16.

Ellie Breaux from Texas came in second-runner-up at Sunday’s competition held at Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida. The winner will receive a $50,000 scholarship and commence her yearlong reign.

She’s a Harvard student

Madison Marsh is the first active-duty Air Force officer ever to win Miss America 2024, becoming a graduate of both Air Force Academy and Harvard Kennedy School as a physics graduate and master’s student respectively. After her mother passed away from pancreatic cancer she founded Whitney Marsh Foundation raising over $250,000 thus far.

The top 11 finalists have been announced and include Caroline Parente of Rhode Island, Cydney Bridges from Indiana, Mallory Hudson from Kentucky, Madison Marsh of Colorado and Cori Keller from Arkansas – Miss Florida will compete against Ellie Breaux to claim her title of Miss Texas!

Winner of the competition will be given a tuition scholarship and travel across the nation as brand ambassador of their pageant. Tonight at Orlando, Florida’s Walt Disney Theater will mark the conclusion of this pageant featuring fitness showcase, discussion rounds on various topics, talent performance and evening gown presentation where contestants will show off their Jovani gowns on stage.

She’s a cancer survivor

Madison Marsh, 22, an Air Force second lieutenant and master’s student at Harvard Kennedy School’s public policy program was crowned Miss America 2024 on Sunday evening, becoming the first active-duty military member ever to win this national pageant since it started nearly 100 years ago. First runner-up was Ellie Breaux of Texas.

After her mom died of pancreatic cancer in 2018, the Air Force Academy graduate changed course, creating a foundation in her honor that raises funds and awareness, according to her pageant bio.

Madison Marsh was chosen from 51 contestants representing each state and DC in four rounds of competition, including fitness runway walk, “hot topics” discussion, talent show and evening gown presentation. Marsh will serve as a role model to women trying to balance careers in military service with academia as she competes for up to $60,000 worth of scholarships throughout 2019.

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