Madison Marsh, Groundbreaking US Air Force Officer, Crowned Miss America 2024

The competition’s format included four rounds of competitions, covering a fitness runway walk, a “hot topics” discussion, a talent show, and an evening gown presentation. Marsh impressed the judges with a spoken word performance about receiving a pilot’s license at 16 during the talent show.

Marsh’s journey is not only marked by her pageant success but also by her commitment to breaking barriers in the military. As a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, she is breaking new ground as the first active-duty Air Force officer to hold the Miss America title.

Reflecting on her motivation to participate in the pageant, Marsh revealed her desire to bring together different aspects of her life and make a positive impact. She expressed, “It’s an awesome experience to bring both sides of the favorite parts of my life together and hopefully make a difference for others to be able to realize that you don’t have to limit yourself.”