Abbie Stockard’s goal is to just be Abbie. At 22 years old, the 2025 Miss America winner from Vestavia aims to always be her authentic self while making the Miss America program something people want to be part of.
Abbie competed in her first pageant just a few years ago, when she was 19, and earned third runner-up in the Miss Auburn University pageant. Motivated by her success and curious about what may lie ahead, she competed in Miss Cahaba Valley the following weekend. What started as a fun way to try something new began to unfold into a series of life-changing events that would teach Abbie about the power of perseverance.
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Photos by Houston M Photography
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Photos by Houston M Photography
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Photos by Houston M Photography
Over the next couple of years, she placed in the Top 5 in other local pageants and competed in Miss Alabama in 2022 and 2023. Looking back, she says she wasn’t ready to win, but didn’t know it at the time. “I needed to continue growing,” she said.
In 2024, Abbie was named Miss Hoover. It was this title that propelled her to become Miss Alabama in 2024, her third time in the state-wide competition.
“I could not have asked for a better local title before going to Miss Alabama,” she said. “It was the first title that I felt the community respected and really cared about setting me up for success. The best part was that everyone was willing to help.”
And did they ever. Abbie collaborated with Hoover’s community leaders to host a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis, a platform that is close to her heart because her best friend was diagnosed with CF when the girls were 9 years old.
“I made a promise to her that I would do everything possible to fight for her,” Abbie shared.
The fundraiser—a hilarious event featuring a good-natured roast of Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis—raised $190,000 in one night. The event became the largest cystic fibrosis fundraiser in the state of Alabama, with proceeds going directly to support cystic fibrosis research therapies at UAB.
During her time as Miss Hoover, Abbie said Miss Hoover Foundation Director Julie Bently poured into her, ensuring she had many opportunities to practice and improve her public speaking while engaging and truly connecting with people. This included appearances at Aldridge Gardens, Hoover Met, The Finley Center, Veterans Park, the Chamber of Commerce, Celebrate Hoover Day, the US National Firefighter Challenge, Ho Ho Hoover at the Randle Home and Gardens, and more.
“I truly believe that’s what launched me to Miss America,” she said.
Through all of this, including serving as Miss Hoover while a full-time, straight-A nursing student at Auburn University and a member of the Tiger Paws dance team, Abbie has learned the power of making little sacrifices to accomplish your goals, time management, identifying what’s important, being comfortable with failing, and perhaps most importantly, the power of never giving up.
“The Lord was working on every detail of my life. He knew exactly what he was doing even though I didn’t understand why.”
Now, as Miss America, Abbie remains grateful for the Hoover community that showed her such an immense amount of support. She is representing Alabama very well on a national stage while spreading the message that you win by being yourself.
Abbie's Hoover Favorites
Place to Shop: Von Maur and the Riverchase Galleria “The Galleria has always seemed magical to me,” Abbie said.
Dance Studio: Birmingham Dance Theatre
Restaurant: Moss Rock Tacos and Tequila, specifically chicken and cheese quesadillas