New Miss America Is A Harvard Student, Air Force Lieutenant

CAMBRIDGE, MA — The newly-crowned Miss America is a Harvard graduate student and second lieutenant in the United States Air Force — making her the first-ever active duty service member to win the title, according to the Air Force.

Madison Marsh, 22, was previously crowned Miss Colorado and recently graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in physics and a focus on astronomy.

"I'm very excited to get to represent women who can break stereotypes ... to be able to share what it means to be a military member in Miss America," Marsh said in a backstage interview filmed shortly after her big win and shared on the Miss America Instagram story.

During her time competing and following her crowning, Marsh emphasized that she wants to continue to use her platform to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer in honor of her mother, who died of the disease in 2018.

When asked backstage what she would like to say to other women watching, Marsh said, "that you can achieve anything."

"The sky is not the limit," she continued. "The only person that is stopping you is you."

At the Air Force Academy, Marsh made the Dean's List eight times and is a three-time Superintendent's List NASA intern.

She's also a two-time National Astronaut Scholar, a National Rhodes Finalist, recipient of the National Truman Scholarship, a certified private pilot, and a black belt in Taekwondo.

Speaking to The Harvard Crimson about the similarities between performing on stage and being in the Air Force, Marsh said that she's serving in both, but in a different way.

"When I put on my uniform, I serve and I represent our country," she said. "When I put on the crown and sash, I'm serving, representing my community."