Abbie Stockard, the 22-year-old Miss Alabama from Birmingham, has been crowned Miss America 2025. The ceremony took place on Sunday night at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida, where Stockard will receive a $50,000 scholarship and begin her one-year reign as Miss America.
Stockard’s goal is to earn an advanced degree in nursing, specializing in pediatrics, and follows in the footsteps of previous Miss Alabama winners. She was one of six women to receive the AHA Go Red for Women Leadership Award, promoting women’s heart health in their communities.
The finals featured a competition of talent, fitness, and “Hot Topics” questions on various issues including technology, immigration, healthcare, and climate change. Stockard performed a contemporary dance to Lauren Daigle’s “You Say” and was among the top 11 finalists, along with other states’ representatives.
Judges for the competition included Olympic medalist Carl Lewis, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Stayce D. Harris, and Miss America winners Sharlene Wells Hawkes and Heather Whitestone McCallum. A total of 52 women competed from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Stockard’s success marks the fourth time a Miss Alabama has won the title, following in the footsteps of Deidre Downs, Heather Whitestone, and Yolande Betbeze. The Miss America organization also announced its Miss America’s Teen winner, Peyton Bolling from Arkansas, who took home the national crown on Saturday at the same venue.
Source: https://www.al.com/life/2025/01/miss-america-2025-miss-alabama-wins-the-crown.html