In a surprising turn of events, a United States Air Force fighter pilot training to become a Top Gun has been crowned Miss America.

Madison Marsh, a 22-year-old native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, clinched the prestigious title at a ceremony held in Orlando, Florida. What makes this victory even more remarkable is that Second Lt. Madison Marsh was crowned Miss Colorado in May 2023 before ultimately securing the Miss America crown.

This historic win marks a significant milestone as Marsh becomes the first active-duty officer from any branch of the military to represent the nation at the Miss America pageant. Her journey to this prestigious title was filled with dedication, hard work, and a unique blend of talents and experiences.

The Miss America pageant featured fifty-one contestants, each representing a different state, including the District of Columbia. Among the finalists, Madison Marsh stood out with her impressive background and a captivating blend of military prowess and pageantry. The runner-up, Miss Texas Ellie Breaux, awaits her opportunity to step in if Marsh is unable to complete her full year of service as Miss America.

The competition was fierce, with Miss Indiana Cydney Bridges securing the third position, followed by Miss Kentucky Mallory Hudson in fourth place and Miss Rhode Island Caroline Parente in fifth.

The pageant consisted of various rounds, including a fitness showcase, a ‘hot topics’ discussion round, a talent performance, and an evening gown presentation. During the discussion round, topics such as terrorism, technology, nutrition, and climate change were addressed, with Marsh speaking passionately about ‘drugs in America,’ reflecting on her late mother’s battle with pancreatic cancer.

One of Marsh’s standout talents was her spoken-word piece, where she recounted her achievement of obtaining her pilot’s license at the age of 16. She emphasized how this experience had strengthened her leadership skills and aimed to captivate the audience by making them feel like they were right alongside her in the cockpit.

Madison Marsh’s achievements extend beyond the pageant stage. She is a National Truman Scholar, a two-time National Astronaut scholar, and an eight-time Dean’s List honoree at the Air Force Academy. Additionally, she holds a certified private pilot’s license and a black belt in taekwondo.

Graduating from Harvard University, Marsh pursued her dreams by enrolling in the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).

It was during her time at USAFA that she decided to give pageantry a try as an extracurricular activity. She discovered her passion for pageants, especially appreciating their focus on community service and public speaking. Her cousin’s involvement in pageantry had inspired her, and she found it to be a great way to connect with people and engage in meaningful community work.