Pilot Madison Marsh becomes first active-duty Air Force officer to win Miss America title

quote:

---

This beauty queen is flying sky-high.

Madison Marsh became the first active-duty Air Force officer to be crowned Miss America when she flew ahead of the competition during the illustrious pageant Sunday night.

The 22-year-old 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force and graduate intern at Harvard Medical School beat out 50 other contestants to earn the top spot in the 2024 Miss America pageant that took place in Florida over the weekend.

Marsh won the title of Miss Colorado last year before she earned the nationwide honor to the applause of the military branch she serves in and leaders from the state she represented.

---

quote:

---

The new Miss America graduated from the Air Force Academy last year just days after she clinched Miss Colorado. She is also studying at the Harvard Kennedy School in hopes of receiving a Master’s degree in public policy.

Marsh, an Arkansas native, had to soar through three nights of preliminary competitions before the field was reduced to only 11 contestants. That handful then faced off in four categories, including a discussion round and evening gown presentation before a winner was picked, CNN reported.

---

quote:

---

Ellie Breaux, who is Miss Texas, was awarded first runner-up.

---