Miss America winner Madison Marsh made history, becoming the first active-duty Air Force officer to hold the crown after winning the title of Miss Colorado last year.
In Florida on Sunday, the 22-year-old beauty pageant contestant flew past the rest of the competition and soared above the other finalists to be crowned Miss America 2024, the New York Post reported.
Marsh — who told Fox News she started flying around the age of 15 — is a second lieutenant in the Air Force and a graduate intern at Harvard Medical School, the outlet noted.
The field was initially cut from 50 to 11 contestants following the preliminary rounds, with Marsh then having to compete against the other contestants in four categories which included both the evening gown and discussion rounds.
During the discussion round, Marsh talked about her late mother, Whitney Marsh, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2018, according to CNN. Madison created the Whitney Marsh Foundation in honor of her late mom, which raises money for cancer research.
Miss America is Madison Marsh from Colorado! #ThereSheIs
????: Houston M Photography pic.twitter.com/fhj66Om5mf
— Miss America (@MissAmerica) January 15, 2024
“Congratulations to our very own [Airman], 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado – who was just crowned [MissAmerica 2024],” the US Air Force posted on X.
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade also celebrated Marsh’s historic win, writing on X, “Madison, the [City of Colorado Springs] wishes you great success. You have inspired countless girls to dream big and reach for the stars.”
Marsh previously talked about her military career and competing in pageants calling it, “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,” the Post noted.
In an interview shared on Miss America’s Instagram Story, Marsh said, “I’m very excited to get to represent women who can break stereotypes,” Good Morning America noted. She also said that she’s looking forward to sharing “what it means to be a member of the military community and Miss America.”
Madison Marsh was crowned Miss America 2024 on Jan. 14. She is the first active-duty Air Force officer to receive the title.
Congrats! ????https://t.co/dRYR6KJhGH
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) January 15, 2024
Marsh said in an article ahead of Sunday night’s competition, “When I put on my uniform, I serve and I represent our country. When I put on the crown and sash, I’m serving, representing my community.”