Alabamaโs most recentย Miss America eager toย continue life of serving,ย advocacy
By Allison Law
Dressed in orange and blue scrubs and tennis shoes, at first glance youโd think she was a regular student in the Auburn University nursing school, headed for the skills lab.
Then, you see the dainty white hat box in one hand, embossed with raised gold lettering. There she is, Miss America.
Abbie Stockard was asked to bring her exquisite, jeweled crown to the school this particular day as a prop for a photo shoot; typically, she carries her blue backpack with a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and textbooks, just like any other upper-level nursing student.
She completed her term as Miss America just as the fall semester started, which allowed her to step away from constant traveling and step back into school. Sheโs in class on campus at Auburn and doing clinicals in Birmingham, along with speaking engagements and appearances in support of her philanthropic cause, which is cystic fibrosis awareness and fundraising.
Gracious and approachable, Stockard, 23, agreed to talk to Alabama Living about her once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You were crowned Miss America in January and completed your term in September. What were some of the highlights of this year?
There were so many incredible highlights from my year. What made it truly special was that my experiences were shaped around my passions and the things I love most. Ultimately, the greatest highlight was the people I met โ the stories I heard, the lives I got to touch, and the ways those moments impacted me far beyond what I could have ever imagined.
I had an amazing balance of fun and meaningful appearances. On the fun side, I attended the Kentucky Derby, sat front row at a UFC fight in Las Vegas, went to the NFL Draft and Super Bowl, and even got to sit in the co-pilot seat flying to Key West. On the more impactful side, I walked the red carpet in New York City for the American Heart Association, met with President Trump in the Oval Office to discuss cystic fibrosis and the Promise Fund, attended the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, and served as the commencement speaker for UTHealth Houstonโs graduation ceremony.
In addition, I visited childrenโs classrooms and hospitals across the country and will always cherish those sweet moments watching their eyes light up when I talked to them. One of my greatest passions is raising awareness for cystic fibrosis because of my best friend and roommate, Maddie. When I won Miss America, I also became a National Ambassador for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and they incorporated me into many of their initiatives across the country. One of the best parts was during the month of May when we changed the writing on my sash to purple in honor of CF Awareness Month.
On behalf of the CF Foundation, I traveled to Texas, Colorado, California, and Washington, D.C., and will never forget the moments I shared with the CF community nationwide.
You got to participate in the Miss America pageant recently in Orlando, but not as a contestant. What was that experience like?
It was so much fun โ and definitely less stressful! I loved being on the other side and getting to encourage the contestants, watch everything unfold behind the scenes, and experience the magic of the week without the nerves. It was also really special to feel so celebrated for my year as Miss America by so many people. It was the perfect way to close out this chapter โ though Iโll admit, I was an emotional mess the final night as I passed on the crown. I was not ready for it to be over!
How did it feel to crown the new Miss America, Cassie Donegan?
I was so happy for Cassie! I had met her a few weeks earlier in New York City when I surprised her at her crowning as Miss New York. I thought she was an absolute doll โ so kind, talented, and genuine. After the first night of preliminaries, I actually had a dream that Cassie won, but I kept it to myself because I didnโt want to freak her out. After she was crowned on the final night, I told her about the dream, and we both laughed and smiled in excitement. It was truly a special moment.
Looking back on the past several months โ your social media posts made it seem like you were constantly traveling. Was that the case?
Yes! I was on a flight almost every week. I traveled all over the country โ from California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, to New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia. I also visited Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and, of course, plenty of states surrounding my home in Alabama. I even got to go to Puerto Rico! It was amazing to see so much of the country and visit places I might never have gone otherwise.
I understand you were able to do a lot of promotion and fundraising for your philanthropic platform, which is for cystic fibrosis.
Yes, cystic fibrosis is very personal to me. My best friend since the age of nine has lived with CF, and I made a promise to her early on that I would do everything I could to fight for her and for others living with this disease. Being Miss America gave me a national platform to raise awareness, educate, and fundraise for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Throughout my years competing, I have worked to raise over $200,000 for CF research. The University of Alabama at Birmingham actually has a CF Center thatโs one of the largest research facilities in the country, so it was incredibly rewarding to know that some of that money was going toward a facility in my
own hometown.
This year, I attended the Celebrity Ski event in Beaver Creek, spoke at the CF Volunteer Leadership Conference in San Antonio, and was honored with an Advocacy Award in Santa Monica for Claireโs Place Foundation. Those moments were truly some of the best parts of my year. Iโm continuing to support the CF community long beyond my time as Miss America.
How has it been to be back on Auburnโs campus?
I love being back! The transition was definitely an adjustment โ I jumped straight into Auburnโs nursing program and actually had to take two tests the week I got home from Miss America. There was no time to rest! But Iโm so grateful that Auburnโs College of Nursing welcomed me back with open arms. Itโs been wonderful to soak up one final year on campus before graduation. The pace is definitely different, but Iโve enjoyed staying in one place for more than a week!
Do you encounter people who want to meet you, and talk to you about your experience?
All the time โ and I love it! It means so much that people are still interested. My goal as Miss America was to make the organization more visible and relevant than ever, and I truly believe we accomplished that. Iโm often recognized in Alabama, especially around my hometown of Birmingham, and I enjoy getting to share behind-the-scenes moments and stories that didnโt make it to social media.
You basically went straight from this yearโs competition into your nursing studies at Auburn. Have you had any time to just relax, or spend time with friends?
It was a whirlwind! I was sitting in a four-hour lecture the day after flying home from Miss America. The transition from being on a plane every week to being in class was definitely an adjustment. But Iโve still been busy with clinical hours and coursework, and thankfully many of my closest friends are still in Auburn, so Iโve been able to spend meaningful time with them. Iโve always been a go-getter, but this has been the first time Iโve really slowed down enough to be present and enjoy some downtime.
You were previously a member of the Tiger Paws (the official dance team for Auburn athletics). Are you still with the team, or are there other groups and activities you are a part of now?
Iโm currently a full-time nursing student and a member of Auburnโs Student Philanthropy Board. Iโve also had the opportunity to speak in classrooms and at several events, and I have upcoming appearances booked as a keynote speaker. Iโm so grateful that I can continue advocating, serving, and inspiring others โ even without the crown and sash.
What advice would you give to other young women who aspire to become Miss Alabama, and Miss America?
With hard work, dedication, consistency, and discipline, you can accomplish anything. It doesnโt matter whether youโve been competing for years or are brand new โ what matters is that you stay authentic and true to yourself.
Every Miss America is different; no two are the same. Each brings her own unique gifts, strengths, and story to the job. Be confident in the gifts God has given you. My advice would be to be bold and just go for it. Always be yourself, and be the hardest worker in the room.ย
