Madison Marsh

Last updated
Madison Marsh
USAFA Graduate 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh.jpg
Born
Madison Isabella Marsh

(2001-08-02) August 2, 2001 (age 22)
Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
Education United States Air Force Academy (BS)
Harvard Kennedy School
Known forMiss America 2024
TitleMiss Academy 2023
Miss Colorado 2023
Miss America 2024
TermJanuary 14, 2024 –
Predecessor Grace Stanke
Military career
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Service/branchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Years of service2023–present
Rank US-O1 insignia.svg Second lieutenant

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

Contents

Early life and education

Marsh was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to parents Mike and Whitney Marsh, and is one of five siblings. [2] [3] [4] [5] Her father is a physician, while her mother was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). [2] Her mother died of pancreatic cancer when Marsh was 17 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 attended Southside High School, and graduated in 2019. [3] As a child and teenager, she participated in space camps and flying lessons, receiving her pilot license at age 16. [7] [8] This led her to enroll in the United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado, graduating with a degree in astrophysics in 2023. [3] Upon her graduation, Marsh became a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. [6] Marsh later enrolled in the Harvard Kennedy School to pursue a Master of Public Policy. [9]

Pageantry

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. [10] [11] [12] This was her third attempt at competing for the Miss Colorado title. [12] As Miss Colorado, Marsh became the first Miss America contestant to be an active-duty military officer. [4]

Miss America 2024

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. [13] [14] 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. [15] [16] [17] 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] [18] [19] As part of her prize package, Marsh received a $50,000 scholarship to further her education. [20] Marsh has received over $70,000 total in scholarships from competing within the Miss America organization. [21]

Year as Miss America

Marsh was the honorary pace car driver at the 2024 Daytona 500 NASCAR race. [22] In February 2024, Marsh received the 'Spirit of the Springs' Award from the city of Colorado Springs. [23] Marsh visited students at schools in Colorado Springs [24] and Daytona Beach. [25]

Personal life

Marsh has a black belt in taekwondo. [26] In January 2024, Marsh announced her engagement to Walker Morris; [27] this is in sharp contrast to the Miss America pageant's previous strict "no-boyfriend" rules. [28]

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References

  1. ↑ Marsh, Madison (August 2, 2023). "hugs, kisses, & 22 birthday wishes". Instagram.
  2. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 Tilley, Michael (March 29, 2023). "Air Force Academy, Harvard part of Marsh's pancreatic cancer research passion". talkbusiness.net.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 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. 1 2 Cohn, Paulette (January 14, 2024). "Meet the New Miss America 2024 and the 50 Lovely Ladies Who Make Up Her Court". Parade .
  7. 1 2 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. ↑ "Air Force Academy senior crowned Miss Colorado, will also graduate on Thursday". KOAA-TV . May 30, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Meet Miss Colorado 2023". 9News . May 30, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Isaac, O'Dell (May 30, 2023). "Air Force Academy senior wins Miss Colorado competition". The Gazette .
  13. ↑ "Bringing Back the Magic at The Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida!" . Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  14. ↑ "HOT GUN: Air force pilot has Miss America crown on her radar". Toronto Sun . January 11, 2024.
  15. ↑ Rice, Sean (January 14, 2024). "Miss Colorado wins 2024 Miss America competition". KRDO-TV .
  16. ↑ Rockson, Gabrielle (January 15, 2024). "U.S. Air Force Officer Madison Marsh Crowned as 2024 Miss America: 'The Sky Is Not the Limit'". People .
  17. ↑ Stahl, Jay (January 15, 2024). "Miss America 2024 is active-duty Air Force officer, Harvard student: Meet Madison Marsh". USA Today .
  18. ↑ "Miss America 2024 Winner: Who is Madison Marsh, the new American beauty queen from Colorado?". Marca . January 14, 2024.
  19. ↑ Ferguson, Sarah (January 15, 2024). "Air Force officer becomes first active-duty servicemember crowned as Miss America". The Hill .
  20. ↑ Colurso, Mary (January 14, 2024). "Miss America 2024: Miss Colorado wins the crown". al.com .
  21. ↑ "From Pilot to Pageantry: Meet the 1st Active-Duty Miss America". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  22. ↑ "Daytona 500 adds Miss America Madison Marsh as honorary pace-car driver". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  23. ↑ "2024 Miss America winner is awarded the Spirit of the Springs Award". KOAA News 5. 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  24. ↑ Miss America Madison Marsh visits Colorado Springs school, 2024-01-25, retrieved 2024-03-02
  25. ↑ "Miss America, an Air Force lieutenant, shares inspiring story with Hinson Middle students". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  26. ↑ "US Air Force pilot becomes first active-duty military service member to win Miss America". Sky News. 16 January 2024.
  27. ↑ Marsh, Madison (January 21, 2021). "The easiest yes". Instagram.
  28. ↑ Konstantinides, Anneta. "Miss America no longer has to hide her significant other". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
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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