Miss America 2024 Contestants

The Miss America 2024 crown has found a worthy recipient in Miss Colorado, Madison Marsh. Crowned by outgoing Miss America 2023, Grace Stanke of Wisconsin, Madison not only earned the prestigious title but also secured a $60,000 tuition scholarship adorned with an Austrian Crystal-emblazoned crown.

Madison Marsh, a 2023 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in physics, made history by becoming the first Active Duty Air Force officer to hold a Miss America state title. Currently a graduate intern with Harvard Medical School, she utilizes artificial intelligence to detect pancreatic cancer and is pursuing her Master’s in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School with her national Truman Scholarship.

In response to how her career equipped her for Miss America, Madison emphasized her role as 2nd Lieutenant Marsh, stating, “Graduating from the Air Force Academy has enabled me with the skills to lead, to learn, and lead with passion across our nation.” As the president of the Whitney Marsh Foundation, she aims to inspire and educate people about pancreatic cancer and break stereotypes.

The 96th edition of the Miss America Competition, held at the Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida, featured 51 candidates representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Notably, the 2024 competition marked the return of a fitness category since 2018, allowing contestants to choose between the talent competition or a speech competition called “HER Story,” a change implemented by new CEO Robin Fleming in 2023. Online voting for America’s Choice spot is also underway, with the State Delegate receiving the most votes guaranteed a spot in the Top 10 Semi-Finals.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Parade}