Madison Marsh buzzed past the competition over the weekend to become the first active-duty Air Force officer to be crowned Miss America, according to the New York Post.
Marsh, 22 and a 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force, took the top honors during the 2024 Miss America pageant in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday night, overcoming 50 other contestants to clinch the title.
The Harvard Medical School graduate won the title of Miss Colorado last year, graduating from the Air Force Academy just days later, before competing for the nationwide honor.
The military branch she serves in was quick to congratulate Marsh on her victory on social media.
"Congratulations to our very own #Airman, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado — who was just crowned @MissAmerica 2024," the U.S. Air Force posted on X.
Miss Colorado made history as the first active-duty service member to ever be crowned Miss America.
In a post on X, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade also celebrated her win.
"Madison, the [City of Colorado Springs] wishes you great success," he wrote. "You have inspired countless girls to dream big and reach for the stars."
Marsh is also reportedly studying for a master's degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Sunday night's final round came after three nights of preliminary competitions which saw the 11-contestant field whittled down to five, according to the Daily Mail.
This year's runner-up is Miss Texas, Ellie Breaux.
The Mail reported that Marsh mentioned her late mother's battle with pancreatic cancer during the discussion round. Her tragic death in 2018 inspired her to establish the Whitney Marsh Foundation to raise money and awareness of pancreatic cancer for people in her Arkansas hometown.
The new Miss America gave a monologue during the talent round that reportedly focused on her first solo flight after earning her pilot's license at age 16.
"I really try to captivate the audience by making them feel like they are in the cockpit with me," she said, according to the Mail.
In post-crowning comments, Marsh also addressed the many stereotypes and prejudices about beauty pageants and those who compete in them.
"The Miss America organization that I'm a part of now is all focused on what you can provide for the community through your social impact, making sure that you have a stellar resume, that you're good at public speaking, that you can connect with people and are empowered to lead in other ways that's not just about you," she said, according to the Mail.
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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