“I knew Auburn was proud, but I wasn’t expecting all this.” – Abbie Stockard
This week, Auburn University student Abbie Stockard made her return to Auburn for the first time since being crowned Miss America 2025 — the fourth Miss Alabama to hold the title. On the morning of Feb. 20, 2025, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr. gave a proclamation at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, stating that today would henceforth be known as Abbie Stockard Day.
“[...] Therefore I, Ron Anders Jr., [the] mayor of the city of Auburn, Alabama, hereby proclaim that today, Thursday, February 20, 2025 to be Abbie Stockard Day,” Anders said. “To encourage all of our citizens and all of our family here and all of the state of Alabama and the members of the Auburn Family to join in recognizing the great achievement of Abbie.”
Mayor Ron Anders introduces himself to Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025, on Feb. 20, 2025.
Stockard won Miss America 2025 on Jan. 5, 2025, after serving as Miss Alabama 2024.
Stockard, senior in nursing, plans to specialize in pediatric medicine and later pursue a doctorate in nurse anesthesia. In order to fulfill her duties as Miss Alabama and Miss America, Stockard has had to take a break from pursuing her studies at Auburn; however, she is set to return to school this fall.
“I’m currently a student at Auburn College of Nursing, and I've learned so much being a part of this,” Stockard said. “I feel like I've learned how to manage my time, I've learned the importance of always being punctual, holding yourself accountable.”
Stockard’s chosen philanthropy is the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Stockard’s childhood best friend, Maddie Hagler, has Cystic Fibrosis and Stockard made “a promise to her when they were little that she would fight for her [friend] and others who had the disease.”
Stockard has raised over $200,000 for CF research and was named a 2024 Hero of Hope by the CF foundation. This award is granted to those who don’t have a blood connection to someone with CF but has made a great impact on the community.
“The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Alabama, each year, chooses one person to receive this award, and I didn’t know I was getting it until I got there,” Stockard said.
During her time at Auburn, Stockard was a nursing student, student recruiter and a member of the university dance team, the Tiger Paws. Stockard made her first reappearance in Auburn at the Auburn versus Arkansas basketball game as a sign holder, then proceeded to perform with the Tiger Paws during halftime.
“[...] I haven't been here in over three months, haven't seen any of my friends, so it was so surreal — especially being back in Neville arena,” Stockard said.
When reminiscing on her time at Auburn, Stockard fondly recalled her involvement on campus, where she competed in her first pageant, Miss Auburn, during her freshman year. Stockard said she signed up “a week before” the pageant date on a whim.
Stockard had not grown up competing in pageants, and as such, often feared she wouldn’t do as well as those that grew up in pageantry. Stockard looked to the young pageant contestants sitting in the front as she reminded them to “never listen to someone who says you can’t do something because of who you are or where you come from.”
In her role as Miss America, Stockard is aware that she serves as the nation’s premier empowerment platform for young women — a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly. She wants little girls to know that a pretty crown isn’t needed in order to be amazing.
“You are more than enough just the way you are,” Stockard said. “I want little girls to know the importance of being bold and communicating their needs and always be unapologetically themselves. I want little girls to know that their worth is not tied to the opinion of others.”
Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, poses with Miss Auburn University, Mikella Anderson on Feb. 20, 2025.
When deciding she wanted to be more serious about pageantry, Stockard looked to her family for advice and help in the pageant world. Her father, Brad Stockard, proudly recalled this time in his daughter’s life.
Brad Stockard was eager to help Abbie and answer her questions about social issues, politics, world events and other issues. He knew that she didn’t know as much about “both sides” and encouraged her to look deeply into things.
“Abbie, you know, was like your basic 18 or 19-year-old when she started doing this, and did not know much about, you know, social issues, politics, etc, and so I would just get these random text messages at all hours of the day. ‘Hey Dad, what do we think about this?’ and ‘Hey Dad, what do we think about that?’” Brad Stockard said.
His encouragement, along with his wife, Kim’s, encouragement is what propelled Abbie to where she is today. Brad recalls watching Abbie win Miss Alabama and Miss America with a similar fondness.
“Watching her win Miss Alabama was incredible, but I didn’t cry when she won,” Brad Stockard said. “When she won Miss America, I was bawling crying, and I’ve probably gone back and watched the video of it on Youtube 50 times since she won — and out of those 50 times, I’ve probably cried 15 times.”
When looking back on how she’s quickly moved forward in the world of pageantry, Stockard recalled that she is glad she stayed true to herself.
“This organization values authenticity. You don't have to fit a certain mold to find your thrive here. And I really think the reason I became Miss America is because I stayed true to Abbie and stayed my authentic self through and through,” Stockard said.
She credits Auburn for this milestone in her life and the great opportunities that have come as a result, calling the city her “second home.”
“I think Auburn has been life changing for me [...] It's been such a significant part of my journey to being Miss America,” Stockard said. “I believe it really has equipped me with so many skill sets, allowing me to be successful and leave a lasting impact as Miss America.”
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Brychelle Brooks, junior majoring in public and professional writing with a minor in information systems, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since August 2023. She previously served as the Campus Reporter and Opinion Editor. She is currently serving as the Newsletter Editor.
Ella Walton, majoring in English literature with a minor in creative writing, currently serves as the culture editor at The Auburn Plainsman. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since fall of 2023.
