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Madison Marsh

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Madison Marsh
Marsh in 2024
Born
Madison Isabella Marsh

(2001-08-02) August 2, 2001 (age 23)
Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
EducationUnited States Air Force Academy (BS)
Harvard Kennedy School
Known forMiss America 2024
TitleMiss Academy 2023
Miss Colorado 2023
Miss America 2024
TermJanuary 14, 2024 –
PredecessorGrace Stanke
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Air Force
Years of serviceactive since 2023
Rank Second lieutenant

Madison Isabella Marsh (born August 2, 2001)[1] is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss America 2024. She had previously been crowned Miss Colorado 2023, and was both the fourth woman representing Colorado and the first member of the United States Armed Forces to win the title of Miss America. Outside of pageantry, Marsh is an officer in the United States Air Force.

Early life and education

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2nd Lt. Madison Marsh in December 2023

Marsh was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Mike and Whitney Marsh, and has four siblings.[2][3][4][5] Her father is a physician and her mother was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).[2] Her mother died of pancreatic cancer when Marsh was seventeen years old, leading Marsh to become an activist for pancreatic cancer awareness and prevention.[4][3] She founded the Whitney Marsh Foundation in her mother's honor in 2019, which raises funds for cancer research.[4][6]

Marsh graduated from Southside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 2019.[3] While growing up, she enjoyed space camps and flying lessons, receiving her pilot's license at age 17.[7][8] After graduating high school, she attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and graduated with a degree in astrophysics in 2023.[3] Upon graduation, Marsh was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.[6] Marsh subsequently studied public policy for one semester at the Harvard Kennedy School through the Air Force Civilian Institution program.[9] She afterwards interned with Harvard's medical department.[10]

Pageantry

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In 2023, Marsh was crowned Miss Academy 2023, a pageant for women attending the United States Air Force Academy.[4] As Miss Academy, she was eligible for the Miss Colorado 2023 pageant, which she went on to win in May 2023.[11][12][13] This was her third attempt at competing for the Miss Colorado title.[13] As Miss Colorado, Marsh became the first Miss America contestant to be an active-duty military officer.[4]

Miss America 2024

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As Miss Colorado, Marsh was selected to represent Colorado at the Miss America 2024 pageant. Miss America 2024 was held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida on January 14, 2024.[14][15] In the pageant, Marsh advanced into the Top 11 and later the Top 5, ultimately being crowned the winner, besting first runner-up Ellie Breaux of Texas.[16][17][18] As Miss America 2024, Marsh became the fourth woman representing Colorado to win the pageant, and the first member of the United States Armed Forces to be crowned the winner.[7][19][20] As part of her prize package, Marsh received a $50,000 scholarship to further her education.[21] Marsh has received over $70,000 total in scholarships from competing within the Miss America organization.[10] During her reign as Miss America, Marsh is serving in an Air Force public affairs and recruiting position.[22][23]

Marsh was the honorary pace car driver at the 2024 Daytona 500 NASCAR race.[24] In February 2024, Marsh received the 'Spirit of the Springs' Award from the city of Colorado Springs.[25] She visited students at schools in Colorado Springs, Colorado,[26] and Daytona Beach, Florida.[27] Marsh also visited Fort Knox,[28] and Ebbing Air National Guard Base.[29] She presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Unknowns) at Arlington National Cemetery, and visited the Memorial Display Room on March 3, 2024.[22] Madison was a special guest of the United Kingdoms Royal International Airshow in England in July 2024, and spoke about her USAF career mixed with being Miss America in front of 100,000 visitors from all over the world.

Personal life

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Marsh has a black belt in taekwondo.[30] In January 2024, Marsh announced her engagement to Walker Morris;[31] this is in sharp contrast to the Miss America pageant's previous strict "no-boyfriend" rules.[32]

Marsh's cousin is Madeline Bohlman, a beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Arkansas Teen USA in 2021 and Miss Arkansas USA in 2024.[33]

References

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  1. ^ Marsh, Madison (August 2, 2023). "hugs, kisses, & 22 birthday wishes". Instagram.
  2. ^ a b Young, Susan (January 16, 2024). "Miss America Has Never Been an Active-Duty Air Force Officer — Until Now: 'I Wasn't Expecting to Win' (Exclusive)". People.
  3. ^ a b c d Tilley, Michael (March 29, 2023). "Air Force Academy, Harvard part of Marsh's pancreatic cancer research passion". talkbusiness.net.
  4. ^ a b c d e Isaac, O'Dell (May 25, 2023). "Air Force Academy cadet — a Miss Colorado contestant — channels heartache into advocacy". The Gazette.
  5. ^ Goh, Amanda (January 15, 2024). "An Air Force pilot has been crowned Miss America 2024". Business Insider.
  6. ^ a b Cohn, Paulette (January 14, 2024). "Meet the New Miss America 2024 and the 50 Lovely Ladies Who Make Up Her Court". Parade.
  7. ^ a b Rees, Mike (January 14, 2023). "US Air Force officer crowned as 2024 Miss America". CNN.
  8. ^ "2024 Miss America winner is awarded the Spirit of the Springs Award". KOAA News 5. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  9. ^ Altman-Devilbiss, Alexx (January 15, 2024). "Active-duty Air Force officer crowned 2024 Miss America". KOMO. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "From Pilot to Pageantry: Meet the 1st Active-Duty Miss America". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  11. ^ "Air Force Academy senior crowned Miss Colorado, will also graduate on Thursday". KOAA-TV. May 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Meet Miss Colorado 2023". 9News. May 30, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Isaac, O'Dell (May 30, 2023). "Air Force Academy senior wins Miss Colorado competition". The Gazette.
  14. ^ "Bringing Back the Magic at The Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida!". Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  15. ^ "HOT GUN: Air force pilot has Miss America crown on her radar". Toronto Sun. January 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Rice, Sean (January 14, 2024). "Miss Colorado wins 2024 Miss America competition". KRDO-TV.
  17. ^ Rockson, Gabrielle (January 15, 2024). "U.S. Air Force Officer Madison Marsh Crowned as 2024 Miss America: 'The Sky Is Not the Limit'". People.
  18. ^ Stahl, Jay (January 15, 2024). "Miss America 2024 is active-duty Air Force officer, Harvard student: Meet Madison Marsh". USA Today.
  19. ^ "Miss America 2024 Winner: Who is Madison Marsh, the new American beauty queen from Colorado?". Marca. January 14, 2024.
  20. ^ Ferguson, Sarah (January 15, 2024). "Air Force officer becomes first active-duty servicemember crowned as Miss America". The Hill.
  21. ^ Colurso, Mary (January 14, 2024). "Miss America 2024: Miss Colorado wins the crown". al.com.
  22. ^ a b "Miss America 2024 U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh Visits ANC". DVIDS. US Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-05-14.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  23. ^ "From Pilot to Pageantry: Meet the 1st Active-Duty Miss America". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  24. ^ "Daytona 500 adds Miss America Madison Marsh as honorary pace-car driver". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  25. ^ "2024 Miss America winner is awarded the Spirit of the Springs Award". KOAA News 5. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  26. ^ Miss America Madison Marsh visits Colorado Springs school, 2024-01-25, retrieved 2024-03-02
  27. ^ "Miss America, an Air Force lieutenant, shares inspiring story with Hinson Middle students". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  28. ^ BAIRD, SAVANNAH (2024-05-09). "Miss America personalities visit Fort Knox". Kentucky Today. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  29. ^ "Miss America spoke with Fort Smith teens as part of her homecoming celebration | Arkansas Democrat Gazette". www.arkansasonline.com. 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  30. ^ "US Air Force pilot becomes first active-duty military service member to win Miss America". Sky News. 16 January 2024.
  31. ^ Marsh, Madison (January 21, 2021). "The easiest yes". Instagram.
  32. ^ Konstantinides, Anneta. "Miss America no longer has to hide her significant other". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  33. ^ Evans, Brandon (May 9, 2024). "Miss America returns home to Fort Smith for full day of events". KHBS. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Madison Marsh.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss America
2024 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Savannah Cavanaugh
 Miss Colorado
2023 		Succeeded by
Sarah Jean Swift


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