A US Air Force officer won the Miss America 2024 pageant (13 photos + 1 video)
22-year-old Madison Marsh became the first US Air Force officer in history to win the Miss America title. The Fort Smith, Arkansas native received the crown at a ceremony in Orlando, Florida on January 14. 
Runner-up was Miss Texas Ellie Breaux, who will replace Marsh if she is unable to attend events.
Miss Indiana Sydney Bridges placed third, Miss Kentucky Mallory Hudson placed fourth, and Miss Rhode Island Caroline Parente placed fifth.
51 girls from each state, as well as the District of Columbia, took part in the competition. 
Eleven girls took part in the four final rounds of the competition: a fitness show, a discussion on hot topics, a talent competition and an evening dress appearance. After which five finalists were announced.
The discussions covered a variety of topics including terrorism, technology, nutrition and climate change.
Marsh admitted that she could not sing or dance, so at the talent competition she spoke about her first solo flight at the age of 16.
Madison is a professional pilot and black belt in Taekwondo.
Marsh graduated from the United States Air Force Academy last year.
While studying, the Arkansas native decided to try her hand at beauty pageants and became Miss Colorado.
She now enjoys talking to girls about becoming a pilot and serving in the military, and sees this as an opportunity to dispel the stereotypes that exist about female soldiers.
“In the army you have the opportunity to behave the way you want - in or out of uniform. I felt that competitions and, in particular, the title of Miss Colorado were a way to demonstrate what was said,” the American shares.
"The Miss America Organization, which I am currently a part of, is focused on what you can do for the community through your social impact. The winner must have a stellar resume, be able to speak in public, communicate with people and lead by example." - she explained.
From an early age, Marsha dreamed of becoming a pilot and astronaut. Her parents supported her daughter, and at the age of 13 she went to the Space Camp educational camp, where she met astronauts and fighter pilots.
Around this time, she learned about the United States Air Force Academy and began taking flying lessons at age 15. Two years later she received her pilot's license.
After graduating from the academy, the girl enlisted in the Air Force.
However, the loss of her mother may force Madison to pursue cancer research.
“I lost my mother about five years ago due to pancreatic cancer and almost immediately after that, together with my family, I founded a non-profit project to raise funds and raise awareness of oncology in our city,” the girl shares.
She plans to work with the Dana-Farber Cancer Research Institute and a professor at Harvard Medical School to identify ways to diagnose pancreatic cancer early.
Moreover, “Miss America 2024” has time to study for a master’s degree in political science at the Harvard Kennedy School.
“Toward the end of my time at the Academy, I began to realize that what I was most passionate about was politics and cancer research, which is why I ended up at Harvard School,” Marsh added.
