Abbie Stockard, a senior majoring in nursing at Auburn University and the reigning Miss Alabama 2024, was crowned Miss America 2025 on Sunday night, Jan. 5, at the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida.
From Birmingham, AL., Stockard secured the Miss Alabama title in June 2024, before advancing to the national competition.
Stockard triumphed over 51 contestants representing all U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico to claim the crown. On the Miss America social media pages, she is featured wearing a white and silver gown, shedding tears of joy as her name is announced as the winner.
As Miss America, Stockard will receive a $50,000 scholarship and embark on a yearlong reign as a national brand ambassador. Her scholarships awarded by Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc. have helped Stockard to pursue her education at Auburn
Stockard is a member of the Auburn Tiger Paws, Auburn University's official dance team, which reflects her passion for performance and school spirit.
She becomes the fourth Miss Alabama to win the prestigious Miss America title, joining the past winners Deidre Downs (2005), Heather Whitestone (1995), and Yolande Betbeze (1951).
On an Instagram post Whitestone wrote “When I listened to her private interview competition with the preliminary judges on the film, I found her as a humble, thoughtful, loving and sharp woman”.
According to the Miss America website, the organization boasts a 100-year legacy of empowering women through philanthropy, business, arts, and education. Annually, it awards over $5 million in scholarships nationwide as part of its mission to “Empower Women to Lead.”
During her coronation speech, Stockard reflected on her journey, saying, “I never really thought I had anything super special about me until I started competing my very first year. And I realized that one of the best parts about this organization is that it values authenticity. I fell in love with competing and realized that it doesn’t matter if you have any past experience or not. To thrive in this organization, bring your story, bring your struggles, and know that this is the platform where you get to share them.”
Many members of the Auburn Family have taken to social media to congratulate their fellow Tiger, Stockard, on her win.
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