U.S. Air Force Officer Crowned Miss America: ‘You Can Achieve Anything’
By Moveiguide® Contributor
Madison Marsh, a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, was just crowned 2024’s Miss America.
“Congratulations to our very own #Airman, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado — who was just crowned @MissAmerica 2024! Marsh is the first active duty servicemember to ever win the title,” the U.S. Air Force wrote.
Congratulations to our very own #Airman, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado — who was just crowned @MissAmerica 2024! Marsh is the first active duty servicemember to ever win the title.#AimHigh pic.twitter.com/3RuDu5CulW
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) January 15, 2024
“I’m very excited to get to represent women who can break stereotypes,” Marsh said, per GOOD MORNING AMERICA.
She added that she is excited to share “what it means to be a member of the military community and Miss America.”
“You can achieve anything. The sky is not the limit and the only person that’s stopping you is you,” Marsh encouraged her followers.
Marsh is currently a student at the Harvard Kennedy School, where she is studying for her Master’s degree in public policy.
In an interview with the Harvard Kennedy School newspaper, Marsh explained how the military and her Miss America title allow her to serve others.
“When I put on my uniform, I serve and I represent our country,” she said. “When I put on the crown and sash, I’m serving, representing my community.”
She credits the Air Force for her success at Harvard and in pageants.
“I don’t think I ever would have gotten into Harvard if I wouldn’t have gone to the Air Force Academy,” Marsh expressed. “I don’t think I ever would have become Miss Colorado without the Air Force Academy because they have trained me and honed in on my leadership.”
As the new Miss America, Marsh plans to dedicate her year of service to those with pancreatic cancer.
Her mom died of pancreatic cancer, which inspired Marsh to begin the Whitney Marsh Foundation.
“I really want to be able to go global with pancreatic cancer and share my mom’s story and be able to raise money and increase research funds for pancreatic cancer,” Marsh said.
“I’m trying to take that background of my cancer research and applying that to the policy degree — trying to translate it to make sure that we’re enacting policy that’s equitable for all patients,” she explained.
Movieguide® previously reported on 2023 Mrs. American competitor Hannah Neeleman’s pro-life stance:
Mrs. American pageant competitor Hannah Neeleman’s pro-life response to a question made her stand out among her peers.
“I have felt this feeling seven times now as I bring these sacred soul to the earth…after I hold the newborn baby in my arms. The feeling of motherhood…is the most empowering feeling I have ever felt,” Neeleman responded when asked when she has felt most empowered.
Neeleman won the pageant and was crowned Mrs. American 2023. She will go on to compete at Mrs. World.
The mom of seven graduated from Julliard as a ballerina before moving to Sao Paolo, Brazil, for her husband’s work. She and her husband eventually moved back to the U.S. to start Ballerina Farm, which sells direct-to-consumer goods like meat, sourdough starters, baked goods, and kitchen supplies.
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