Abby Stockard believes her new title was heaven-sent.
In early January, the nursing student representing the state of Alabama was crowned Miss America in Orlando, Florida. The 22-year-old Miss Alabama is the fourth Miss Alabama to win this title.
“I'm very driven by my faith,” Stockard told Fox News Digital. “Based on the morals and values my family taught me, I believe every person is called to make a difference.
Abby Stockard is crowned Miss America 2025. (Miss America)
“I believe we were all created with a purpose, for a purpose. And so, while it is very amazing to have this platform of influence and be an ambassador for the organization, my main mission is to use that title to serve others.”
Stockard said she is eager to get out there and connect with her fellow Americans, offering them hope during turbulent times.
During the competition, Abby Stockard spoke about the importance of young people joining the workforce. (Miss America)
“I think our world is broken,” she shared. “I think it's polarized and divided, and I want to be a light. I want to be an inspiration, and I want to make everyone feel seen and valued and valued, because that's who God is. That's who He is.” “I want me to do that, and I know that I was appointed to this position for a purpose, and that's why I won't take it for granted.”
Abby Stockard is the fourth Miss Alabama to win the Miss America title. (Miss America)
According to the annual competition, Stockard will spend the year traveling the country as she is She is pursuing her degree at Auburn University.
“I want to use (my title) to touch the lives and hearts of people across our nation,” she said.
“I think our world is broken. I think it's polarized and divided, and I want to be a light. I want to be an inspiration, and I want to make every person feel seen and valued and valued, because that's who God is.”
Miss America 2025 Abby Stockard is seen on January 10, 2025 in New York City. (Mediapunch/Power-Griffin/GCImages)
Stockard credited her relationship with God with giving her the motivation to become a positive role model on a public platform. She declared victory over 51 other contestants.
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Abby Stockard is a nursing student and cheerleader at Auburn University in Alabama. (Miss America)
“The two words you directed A whole week of Miss America “It was peace and trust. The peace that passes all understanding, knowing that the Lord took care of my needs for me,” she explained. He has a plan for my life, and His plan is good. I remind myself that he is with me and not against me. Why worry? Because he already knows the results of this competition.”
“The second word (was) trust — trust in the work I did, but also trust in His plan for my life.” One of my favorite verses is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and all your ways.” “Know Him and He will make your path straight.” And that’s what I relied on…all week.”
“I've been at the Miss America pageant for the past two weeks, and the whole time I've been completely in awe of all the women I've been competing with and fostering these friendships with,” Abby Stockard told Fox News Digital. (Miss America)
“I think that's why I did so well,” Stockard continued. “I didn't put that pressure on myself. Because at the end of the day, there was only so much I could control. He took care of all of that. That's why I'm excited to take this position and continue to do so.” Spreading my faith to people who need it.”
Watch: Miss America 2025 Abby Stockard is 'driven' by faith
Stockard, who comes from a “big medical family,” also wants to raise health awareness.
It will support the American Heart Association's Go RED for Women initiative, as well as cystic fibrosis research. The Miss America Organization confirmed to Fox News Digital Stockard that it had raised more than $200,000 For cystic fibrosis in alabama. She has been named a “Hero of Hope” by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and a National Ambassador.
“Miss America is more than just a title, it is a movement to empower young women everywhere to dream big, insist that their voices be heard, and inspire change in the world around them,” the organization said on its website. “Of course, Miss America wears the crown, she rules.” (Miss America)
According to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation websiteThe genetic disorder affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. There are approximately 40,000 children and adults living with it in the United States alone. An estimated 105,000 people have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in 94 countries.
Abby Stockard will spend the year advocating for the American Heart Association's Go RED for Women initiative and cystic fibrosis research. (Miss America)
The reason hits close to home.
“My best friend — she's not only my best friend, she (became) my goal,” Stockard said. “We have been inseparable since the age of nine. I truly believe that in this lifetime, a cure for this disease will be found. I am excited to use this position of influence to continue raising awareness, fundraising and education efforts. That we can get closer and closer to finding that cure.”
Miss Alabama Abby Stockard walks the runway in tracksuits during the Miss America pageant in Orlando, Florida on January 5, 2025. (Joe Marino/UPI/Shutterstock)
The Miss America pageant also highlights the fitness section. Stockard, who has been a dancer since she was 2 years old, wants to help raise awareness about starting healthy goals for the new year. She noted that heart disease is the “number one killer of women.”
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Abby Stockard has been dancing since she was a child. She wants to encourage her fellow Americans to implement healthy habits in the new year. (Miss America)
“It is time for the world to take care of our health so we can combat these statistics,” she said. “I think physical health is very important because we're seeing obesity rates rise, and that leads to chronic disease. And those numbers are going up…every year.”
“The American Heart Association says you need to get at least 150 minutes of some type of movement every week,” Stockard noted. “for me, I love going to the gymBut I love dancing. One of my favorite things to do is go hiking all day. This also allows me to reset and prioritize my mental health as well.
The first Miss America pageant was held in 1921. (Mediapunch/Power-Griffin/GCImages)
“It's not just physical activity. It's making sure you're managing stress appropriately (and) getting enough sleep. It all goes into what living a healthy, balanced lifestyle looks like.”
Abe Stockard defeated 51 American representatives. (Miss America)
For those struggling, Stockard suggested some simple eating habits that she swears by to help them look and feel their best.
“I'm a big protein girl,” she shared. “If I don't eat some kind of protein, I'll feel tired all day long. For breakfast this morning, I had scrambled eggs with cheese, and then I had some Greek yogurt. I love granola… My friends make fun of me because they say it's not yogurt with granola, it's Granola with yogurt because I put a lot of granola in yogurt and sometimes I drizzle honey too.
Abby Stockard said she wants to be a pediatric nurse. (Joe Marino/UPI. Source: UPI/Alamy Live News)
“For lunch, I usually have some kind of sandwich. I like to keep it simple with turkey and cheese. Sometimes I put lettuce and tomato in there. For dinner, my favorite meal is grilled salmon. I can eat it every day. My favorite thing to eat is salmon.” Roast with rice, and then you have to put the vegetables in somewhere. I like to put the broccoli in the oven and the Brussels sprouts.
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Part of Abby Stockard's win was a $50,000 scholarship. (Miss America)
On days when she feels like indulging, Stockard has one thing in mind.
“Two-step cookie,” she bragged. “It's half cookies and cream, half cookie dough ice cream. I have a gallon in my freezer. And the night I won, they asked me what I was going to eat. That's the first thing I said.”
Stockard insisted that the crown is more than just a pretty face. As part of her win, she received a huge scholarship worth $50,000.
Abby Stockard will take over from 2024 winner Madison Marsh. (Miss America)
“One of my biggest pet peeves is when it comes to people They called Miss America a beauty queen.” She explained. “I think that's the biggest stereotype this organization gets. It's so much more than that. In the three years I've been competing, I've received over $89,000 in scholarships…and it allows me to graduate completely debt-free.”
“Miss America is a powerhouse,” she said. “It represents a change in society…I think that's why this organization has survived the last 100 years.”
