Miss America says US Air Force service is life-changing

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Joining the Air Force was a no brainer for this magnificence queen.

Madison Marsh, a second lieutenant within the Air Force, is the primary active-duty Air Force officer to be topped Miss America. The 22-year-old succeeds Wisconsin’s Grace Stanke, who was the 2023 Miss America.

“I wanted to be an astronaut for about eight years until a year or two ago,” Marsh instructed Fox News Digital. “But then I discovered the Air Force Academy, and it immediately sparked my interest. Obviously, I don’t want to be an astronaut anymore.”

AIR FORCE OFFICER MADISON MARSH WINS 2024 MISS AMERICA COMPETITION: ‘YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING’

Madison Marsh smiling wearing a red dress and sash

Madison Marsh, above, succeeds Grace Stanke of Wisconsin, who was the 2023 Miss America. (Miss America)

“When it comes to the Air Force, there’s the camaraderie, the family that is created out of joining the armed forces,” she shared. “It’s phenomenal. It’s something that I didn’t realize I was yearning for. I now have people all across the nation that I could call and would have my back just because of being in the military.”

“My path has changed significantly over the past several years – but it’s all been just wonderful,” Marsh added.

Marsh, who was topped as 2024 Miss America, is additionally a grasp’s pupil on the Harvard Kennedy School’s public coverage program. She received the title of Miss Colorado final 12 months.

Madison Marsh in a navy suit with a Miss Colorado sash

Madison Marsh received the title of Miss Colorado final 12 months. (Miss America)

Marsh stated she’s hoping to encourage different ladies within the armed forces to fly sky-high.

“I love to think about all the women who have come before me,” she stated. “I’m not the first person in the military to do something like this. I think about all the first women to join the Air Force, to fly planes, to fly in combat, to go to the Air Force Academy, who’ve taken chances. Now, I’m lucky to be a very small part of this history, to show other young women that you really can do anything.”

Madison Marsh wearing a satin navy dress

Madison Marsh initially needed to be an astronaut earlier than she found the Air Force. (Miss America)

“Even if you don’t want to join the military, you can define those stereotypes, those boxes you put yourself in,” Marsh stated. “You can show the world what you’re passionate about and put everything else aside. There were times when the stereotype of a military woman who competes in pageants conflicted. Now, I’m able to break both of those stereotypes simultaneously. I hope to prove to all young women that you really can do whatever you want.”

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Madison Marsh in her military uniform showing off her pancreatic cancer pin

Madison Marsh is a giant supporter of pancreatic most cancers analysis after dropping her mom. (Miss America)

There have been 51 contestants who represented the U.S. and the District of Columbia, People journal reported. According to the outlet, preliminary judges selected 10 contestants to enter the pageant, whereas the general public voted for one, leading to 11 semifinalists.

The Air Force took to X, previously often known as Twitter, to rejoice Marsh’s win.

“Congratulations to our very personal #Airman, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado — who was simply topped @MissAmerica 2024!,” they wrote. “Marsh is the first active duty servicemember to ever win the title. #AimHigh.”

Marsh stated the Air Force hasn’t stopped congratulating her.

“They’ve been so excited and supportive,” she stated. “One of my favorite parts of winning was having all of these military women reach out to me and say, ‘Now we feel more comfortable about displaying how you can be feminine and in uniform and still be taken seriously.’ That meant the world to me. It’s something that we might still struggle with today, but I’m really lucky we can now all be a part of it together and take down those stereotypes.”

During the competitors, the finalists had to talk about their targets as Miss America. Marsh opened up about her late mom, who died from pancreatic most cancers in 2018 at age 41. She instructed Fox News Digital that assembly the many individuals who have been by her mom’s facet made her extra proud than ever to be an American.

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Madison Marsh on the field in military gear

Madison Marsh is a second lieutenant within the Air Force. (Miss America)

“As a household, we had to look at her undergo chemotherapy,” she stated. “But we also watched her meet all of these wonderful people – the doctors, the nurses – who did all they could to help elongate her life, so we could be with her a little longer. Representing the Americans who want to help our people is extremely important to me.”

Madison Marsh about to get crowned as Miss America

Madison Marsh stated she has acquired an outpouring of help from the Air Force following her win. (Miss America)

“I witnessed how pancreatic cancer can take your life, no matter how healthy you are, no matter how many amazing doctors you have in your corner,” she stated. “Something has to change. We are severely underfunding pancreatic cancer research. … We have one of the lowest survival rates and something more needs to be done. We need better legislation to raise money. We need better legislation to deliver these products to patients across the nation. It’s expensive to even get tested for pancreatic cancer. That’s another barrier patients have to deal with. … My mother’s cancer went from stage 1 to stage 4 within three weeks. We need to give our patients a fighting chance. And that’s what I’m going to fight for.”

Madison Marsh showing off a glamorous red dress

Madison Marsh is a grasp’s pupil on the Harvard Kennedy School’s public coverage program. (Miss America)

The Miss America semifinalists took half in 4 rounds of competitions, which included a health runway stroll. Marsh famous that the Air Force gave her the boldness to tackle that problem.

“Things got tough for me at the Air Force Academy,” Marsh stated. “I was grieving the loss of my mom while also being in a very strict military environment. But I started finding my confidence at the gym and really pouring into my body. Being healthy is not just a look, it’s also a lifestyle. And I truly believe good health is what gave my mother a better fighting chance. I want to be here to play with my kids, see all these wonderful changes in the world and live a long life.”

Madison Marsh wearing a black off the shoulder dress

Madison Marsh stated she works out as much as 5 occasions every week. (Miss America)

“I attempt to go to the health club about 5 days every week,” she stated. “I love lifting weights. That’s my favorite part, building muscle. … My mother was a big runner, so I’m trying to get into that to get my body moving. If I only have 20 minutes for a workout, I’ll just go for a run. I also love yoga. It’s my rest and rejuvenation day just to be at peace, not be on my phone, just focus on how my body feels at that very moment.”

Marsh stated that in her reign, she hopes to be an inspiration to ladies throughout the nation.

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Madison Marsh shaking Joe Bidens hand

Madison Marsh stated she hopes to be an inspiration to different ladies. (Miss America)

“For Miss America, I had my hair and makeup done, but that’s not the most important part of the pageant,” she stated. “Miss America is one of the largest providers of scholarships for women. I got over $70,000 in educational scholarships. That can be life-changing for so many women. … And to me, that’s the most beautiful part of the organization.”

“It’s not all about beauty here,” she continued. “The most important part is having a passion to serve, the passion to lead in your community or your profession, learning the ability to speak eloquently about the things you care about. This is what Miss America is all about. … And I’m ready for it.”

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