Madison Marsh Reflects on Historic Miss America Win as Air Force Officer

ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, the first active-duty service member to win the Miss America pageant, reflected on her groundbreaking year as her reign comes to an end. Marsh, who was crowned Miss America 2024 while representing Colorado, shared how her journey has inspired young women to pursue their dreams without sacrificing their identity.

Marsh, a 2019 graduate of Fort Smith Southside High School in Arkansas, entered the pageant while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy. She initially viewed the competition as an opportunity to practice public speaking and take a break from her rigorous military lifestyle. However, her victory made history, proving that women in the military can excel in diverse fields.

“I didn’t view it as groundbreaking,” Marsh wrote in a recent opinion piece. “I was simply doing what I loved. I thought it would be ‘fun.’ But in reflecting on my year, I think I did something simpler, yet maybe more meaningful: I provided hope to a generation of young people.”

One of the most memorable moments of her reign occurred during a visit to the Air Force Academy. A freshman cadet approached Marsh, sharing that her victory had inspired her to accept her appointment to the academy. The cadet had been unsure if she could maintain her identity while serving in the military, but Marsh’s success showed her it was possible.

Marsh’s journey has also been shaped by personal loss. Her mother’s battle with pancreatic cancer, which she lost in 2018, taught Marsh the importance of living a fulfilling life. “Life is too short to waste on things that do not fulfill us,” she wrote. “We spend so much energy on the ‘rat race’ that we sometimes miss what’s truly important – the people and moments right in front of us.”

In addition to her military and pageant achievements, Marsh is pursuing a Master’s degree in public policy at Harvard University. She also founded the Whitney Marsh Foundation in honor of her mother, raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research. Marsh, a certified pilot, made her first solo flight at 16 and continues to inspire others through her advocacy and leadership.

As her reign concludes, Marsh hopes her story encourages others to pursue their passions without fear of judgment. “The true significance of being ‘the first’ is not found in breaking records or collecting accolades,” she wrote. “It is about creating hope for others, often in ways we might not even see ourselves.”