Miss America 2024: Who is Madison Marsh?

Serving lieutenant in the United States Air Force, Madison Marsh, was crowned the 2024 Miss America on Sunday night in Orlando, Florida, after previously winning Miss Colorado in May 2023, the Daily Mail reported.

Marsh, 22, is a second lieutenant in the US Air Force and was among the 51 contestants who participated in the event, representing all 50 US states, as well as the District of Columbia.

Meanwhile, Ellie Breaux of Texas placed as first-runner-up followed by Miss Indiana Cydney Bridges who came third.

Marsh, who comes from Arkansas, is the first active-duty Air Force officer ever to receive the national title while also attending the Harvard Kennedy School as a master’s student in the school's public policy programme.

She is also a National Truman Scholar, two-time National Astronaut scholar, eight-time Dean's List at the Air Force – three-times Superintendent's List, a National Rhodes finalist, certified private pilot, and a black belt in taekwondo.

The final four rounds of the pageant included a "hot topics" discussion round and a talent performance among others, before the five finalists out of 11 were announced.

Marsh spoke on the topic of "drugs in America" as she recalled her late mother's battle with pancreatic cancer. For the talent round, she gave a spoken-word piece centred on receiving her pilot's license at 16.

The Harvard student graduated from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and was commissioned as an Air Force Officer last year.

She pursued pageant competition as an extracurricular activity, enjoying its community service and public speaking aspects. She appreciates the evolution of the pageant system, particularly in women's fitness.

"Pageants are changing and one of the ways is in what being physically fit means to women," Marsh explained. "For me, it's great because I need to stay physically fit and in the gym for the military, so it already coincides with pageant training."

From a young age, Marsh was a passionate science enthusiast, with a dream of becoming a pilot and astronaut. Her parents encouraged her, sending her to Space Camp at 13 to meet astronauts and fighter pilots.

At 15, she started flying lessons, earned her pilot's license, and worked towards becoming a cadet.

Now, Marsh's future may see her as a Top Gun fighter pilot.