Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard, Wins Miss America

January 5, 2025 - When Miss Alabama Teen, Ali Mims, was named the first-runner up in Miss Teen America 2025 on Saturday, January 04th, 2025 in Orlando, Florida it seemed like a portend of good things to come for the state known as "Alabama, the Beautiful". And, indeed it was, as the 22-year old Abbie Stockard, the reigning Miss Alabama, was crowned Miss America 2025 the very next day at the Walt Disney Theatre in Orlando, Florida. Making Miss Stockard the fourth Miss Alabama to be crowned the coveted pageant title of "Miss America".

While the three previous Miss Alabama contestants who have become Miss America have been porcelain brunettes, Miss Stockard is a perky blonde who has been studying dance since the age of two. Stockard began her dance training at the Jackie O'Neal School of Dance and was a member of Vestavia High School's Rebelette Dance Team. And, indeed, as a cheerleader at Auburn University, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders have tried to recruit Miss Stockard to join their team. But, while Miss Stockard performed a modern dance routine for the talent portion of Miss America, the Vestavia Hills native has been focusing more on her studies as a nursing student at Auburn University.

Originally, Miss Hoover 2024, prior to being crowned Miss Alabama, Miss Stockard's community service initiative is bringing awareness to cystic fibrosis. A genetic disorder that affects the way salt and water move in and out of the body's cells which causes the production of thick, sticky mucus that can clog and damage the body's organs. And one of Miss Stockard's goals as Miss America is to launch an initiative called "Miss America Takes Capitol Hill Day". As even prior to her crowning as Miss America, Miss Stockard spoke with Senator Tommy Tuberville and Senator Katie Britt about launching this initiative since Miss Stockard much enjoyed being able to advocate on Capitol Hill for her community service initiative.

Miss Stockard bested fifty-two young ladies in this year's competition to become Miss America. With this year's first runner up halting from Texas, the second runner up coming from Alabama's neighboring state of Tennessee, the third runner up coming from Florida, and the fourth runner up coming from the buckeye state of Ohio.

A fan of ice cream and hiking, Miss Stockard is nevertheless proud of her Southern roots even while thrust into the national stage as Miss America. Indeed, Miss Stockard says, "So I'm a Southern girl; I definitely am. Never forget your Southern roots."

Luisa Reyes is an attorney in Tuscaloosa with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Judson, a master's degree in library science, and a law degree from Samford's Cumberland School of Law. She is also a piano instructor and vocalist.