The 2024 Miss America Also Happens to Be an Active Duty Air Force Officer

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Get to know the 2024 crowned beauty who has blazed a new path in pageantry for military service members.

In her early teens, Madison Marsh attended a space camp and met several astronauts. “I just fell in love with the idea of being the first woman on Mars,” she said. So she took flying lessons at age 15 and joined the Air Force Academy to work toward her goal. She loved the thrill of flying and became an Air Force officer. When Marsh, 22, was crowned Miss America in January, she became the first Miss America to also be an active duty member of the military.

She hopes her win will show people that you can achieve anything you set your heart to, and that women can embrace their feminine and strong sides in the service of others. “I love being able to lead others and serve in something that’s bigger than just me,” she said.

Q&A with Madison Marsh

American Essence: How do you plan to use your platform as Miss America?

Ms. Marsh: The most important role for me this year as Miss America is to support research on pancreatic cancer on a national level. My mom was Whitney Marsh. She died of pancreatic cancer when she was only 41 years old. There were just 9 months between her diagnosis and her death. My national level goals include diversifying the ways we raise money and lobbying for legislation to get early detection standards implemented nationwide.On the days that I feel down and not motivated, I think of my mom. If she can get up and make herself go run 10 miles after recovering from chemo treatment after chemo treatment, then I can get up. I feel lucky that I still get to be here.”

AE: What does the pageant mean to you?

Ms. Marsh: The first Miss America was in 1921 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I think a lot of people might say that pageants are very superficial, but the Miss America organization is so much more than looks. The Miss America opportunity is about scholarship: they’re one of the largest providers of scholarships anywhere in the world. They are about leadership and community service.

I started competing in pageants in my freshman year at the Air Force Academy because I saw my cousin doing it. I’d lost my mom to pancreatic cancer the year before, and I was struggling with my identity and working through grief. I knew how important it would be to have a greater platform for my mom’s story. That’s really why I started doing pageants. 

AE: What are your plans regarding your military service? 

Ms. Marsh: I plan to stay with the military. I’ve got my service that I owe to them; they’ve given me so much, and I want to be able to give back to them more so. I love the people, I love being able to lead others and serve in something that’s bigger than just me. 

I’m not a military pilot but I love flying. It’s one of my favorite things. It taught me a lot about relying on my training and being confident in myself. I’m not able to do any flying at all right now, unfortunately, but hopefully after things die down this year, I’ll be able to use the scholarship money I earn from Miss America to earn some more pilot education.

By Hazel Atkins

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Trump’s Middle East Triumph is Worth Celebrating Even As Peace Remains Elusive 

President Trump’s bold foreign policy defies globalist appeasement, showcasing unwavering American strength and decisive leadership on the world stage.

Are conservatives fighting a fiction of woke?

Wokery, it hurts to say it, is too disorganized to have an organized cosmology or doctrine of metaphysical belief.

Illinois Democrat Offenders Reveal Party

The crime of J.B Pritzker and Brandon Johnson in this episode of American history is called subversion at the least , but could be as serious as treason.

Inside the Public School Librarian Jihad to Keep Transgender Propaganda on Shelves

Public school librarians are doing all they can to keep child tranny propaganda flowing directly into the malleable minds of their charges.

Five Reasons Why The Latest Czech Elections Were So Important

Populist-nationalist politician Andrej Babis is poised to return to the premiership after his party's victory. Here are 5 reasons why this is so important.

Senate Confirms 107 Trump Nominees

Senate Republicans confirmed more than 100 people nominated by President Donald Trump to fill vacant government positions on Oct. 7.

29-Year-Old Florida Man Arrested Over Palisades Fire

A 29-year-old Melbourne, Florida man was arrested for allegedly starting the Palisades wildfire that burned for weeks and killed 12 people.

FBI, LAPD Raid Mexican Mafia-Linked Gang in Southern California

FBI and LAPD raided a Mexican Mafia-linked gang in Southern CA, arresting a dozen individuals in connection to the Rancho San Pedro organization.

James Comey Pleads Not Guilty to 2 Federal Charges

Former FBI Dir. James Comey pleaded not guilty in federal court on Oct. 8 to charges of making a false statement and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Trump Says He May Invoke Insurrection Act in Portland If Necessary

President Donald Trump on Oct. 6 said he may consider invoking the Insurrection Act in Portland, Oregon, if necessary.

Trump: All Medium, Heavy Duty Trucks Entering US Will See 25 Percent Tariff on Nov. 1

President Trump announced on Monday that all medium and heavy-duty trucks entering the United States will see a 25 percent tariff starting on Nov. 1.

Treasury Names Social Security Commissioner as CEO of IRS

Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent announced that Frank Bisignano, the head of the Social Security Administration (SSA), will also serve as CEO of the IRS.

Agencies Terminated, Descoped 94 Wasteful Contracts With $8.5 Billion Ceiling Value, Says DOGE

Various federal government agencies have terminated and descoped 94 wasteful contracts over the past five days, DOGE said in an Oct. 4 post on X.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central