During the long weekend, a new Miss America was crowned in Orlando, Florida. While this honor is given out to a new young woman each year, this year proved to be a special one for the people of Fort Smith, and more specifically members of the Southside community. The Miss America crown was awarded to Miss Colorado contestant Madison Marsh, who is a Southside High School alumni from the class of 2019.
Marsh has already made an impact regarding cancer research, specifically pancreatic cancer, through her charity organization known as the Whitney Marsh Foundation. This organization was formed to honor the legacy of Madison Marsh’s mother, Whitney Marsh, who passed away in 2018 from the disease. Each year, the annual Whitney’s Race takes place in Fort Smith, where supporters can gather and participate in 5K and 10K runs as an homage to Whitney Marsh’s love of running.
While Marsh wrote new history for her hometown by being the first Miss America from Fort Smith, AR, she also established new firsts in the history of the Miss America pageant itself. Marsh is officially the first Miss America who is an active-duty member of the Air Force. Marsh currently holds the rank of second lieutenant in the US Air Force. She impressively earned her pilot license at the youngest age possible of 16.
Marsh has already accomplished great feats at an academic level, graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2023 with a degree in physics. Marsh now pursues her master’s degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. With big goals and a bright future ahead for Marsh, she can now Miss America on her list of many accomplishments.
