She won from among 51 candidates from each of the American states. Madison Marsh, 22, became the new Miss America for 2024 on Sunday night. Elected in the state of Colorado, where she is currently doing her military service, she was crowned in Orlando, Florida (United States).
Madison Marsh was crowned against Ellie Breaux, Miss Texas. Cydney Bridges (Miss Indiana) was elected second runner-up, Mallory Hudson (Miss Kentucky) third runner-up and Caroline Parente (Miss Rhode Island) fourth runner-up. She succeeded Grace Stanke, Miss America 2023.
Lieutenant in the Air Force
But it was the 22-year-old's profile that caught the eye. Indeed, Madison Marsh was already the first contestant in the pageant to be on active duty in the U.S. Army, she now becomes the first Miss America serving in the National Forces.
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Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Madison Marsh grew up and did all her schooling there. Her mother, Whitney, died of pancreatic cancer in 2018, when Madison was just 17 years old. In 2019, she set up the Whitney Marsh Foundation in his honour, which aims to raise funds to support cancer research.
She then attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, where she earned a bachelor's degree in astrophysics. It was at this school that she started beauty pageants. She won the Miss Academy 2023 election, the pageant reserved for women serving at the Air Force Academy. This title then allowed her to apply for Miss Colorado 2023, where she came out on top.
A candidate who seduced with her answers
First of all, 51, the young women in competition paraded before the 11 finalists for the final title were selected. Later reduced to five, they had to answer an additional question about their goals as Miss America, which is where Miss Colorado stood out.
"Right now, I'm Second Lieutenant Marsh. Graduating from the Air Force Academy has given me skills to lead with passion and to learn," she said. As president of the Whitney Marsh Foundation, I was able to develop those same skills to inspire and raise awareness about pancreatic cancer. (...) That's exactly what I will continue to do as Second Lieutenant Marsh and as Miss America. »
The rules for Miss America state that contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 28 to compete and be a U.S. citizen or legally resident on U.S. soil. Ahead of Miss America 2024, Madison Marsh is the fourth Miss Colorado to win the national crown.