Original 469Ed79C 4Fad 491F Bcad 0D27Cc6Eb259 Edited Abbie Stockard, Abbie Stockard Day, Auburn, Auburn University, Miss Alabama, Miss America, Miss Auburn University — Auburn Mayor Ron Anders introduces himself to Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025, for the first time on Feb. 20, 2025. (Ella Walton / The Bama Buzz)

On Jan. 5, Auburn University nursing student Abbie Stockard was crowned Miss America, becoming the fifth Miss Alabama in history to claim the prestigious title. This week, Stockard returned to the city she affectionately calls “her second home,” where Mayor Ron Anders Jr. honored her with the proclamation of Feb. 20 as “Abbie Stockard Day.”

Keep reading to learn more about the mayor’s speech and Abbie Stockard, a Birmingham native!

Processed D265D2F8 598B 4Bd5 9B92 F71D2F6Dc372 Edited Abbie Stockard, Abbie Stockard Day, Auburn, Auburn University, Miss Alabama, Miss America, Miss Auburn University — Abbie Stockard signs an autograph at the Gogue Performing Arts Center in Auburn, Ala. (Ella Walton / The Bama Buzz)

Mayor Ron Anders Jr. began his proclamation at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center by welcoming Stockard back, stating that being able to attend an event with Miss America beats attending council meetings.

Anders’ continued on to list Stockard’s accomplishments—highlighting her involvement with Auburn University’s dance team, the Tiger Paws, the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and more.

“She was crowned Miss Alabama in 2024, has earned more than $89,000 in tuition scholarships and has proven her passion for children and their health through philanthropic pursuits.”

~ Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr.

Anders praised Stockard, a lifelong advocate of Cystic Fibrosis research, for her tireless work raising awareness for the genetic disorder. The reigning Miss America has already raised over $200,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“Abbie will also spend her year in service as an advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which named her a 2024 Hero of Hope, with a goal to bring hope to over 15 million Americans diagnosed with CF.”

~ Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr.

Miss Auburn And Miss America Abbie Stockard, Abbie Stockard Day, Auburn, Auburn University, Miss Alabama, Miss America, Miss Auburn University — Miss America, Abbie Stockard, poses for a picture with Miss Auburn University, Mikella Anderson. (Ella Walton / The Bama Buzz)

The mayor surprised Stockard by declaring Feb. 20 as Abbie Stockard Day.

“Now therefore I, Ron Anders Jr., [the] mayor of the city of Auburn, Alabama, hereby proclaim that today, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 to be Abbie Stockard Day,” Anders said. “To encourage all of our citizens, family, the state of Alabama and the members of the Auburn Family to join in recognizing the great achievements of Abbie.”

~ Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr.

Excited gasps and applause filled the theater as Stockard accepted the official proclamation. The floor was then opened up for interviews with the media.

Original 5364Ca04 5187 4E69 B8Cd Cd84A4510C98 Edited Abbie Stockard, Abbie Stockard Day, Auburn, Auburn University, Miss Alabama, Miss America, Miss Auburn University — Miss America poses with Miss Lee County. (Ella Walton / The Bama Buzz)

Stockard, who had performed in Neville Arena with the Tiger Paws the day prior, was thrilled to talk about her experience being back in town. She had not been in Auburn in over three months and expressed how much she had missed being a Tiger Paw.

“After I won Miss Alabama, you’re required to take a year off of school, and that was a hard transition. And so, the fact that the team let me come and learn their routine and dance with all the girls—it was just so much fun. I think that will forever go down as one of my favorite memories of being Miss America. I mean, how cool is it to dance for the number one team in the nation?”

~ Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025

Original 3305A575 264A 47Ab Bc56 Ca09E87A7Ff7 Edited Abbie Stockard, Abbie Stockard Day, Auburn, Auburn University, Miss Alabama, Miss America, Miss Auburn University — Abbie Stockard, Miss America, smiles with two young pageant queens. (Ella Walton / The Bama Buzz)

Part of being Miss America is serving as “the nation’s premier empowerment platform for young women.”

“I want little girls to know that their worth is not tied to the opinion of others, and don’t ever listen to someone who says you can’t do something because of who you are or where you come from. So, I hope to inspire them, whether they want to wear a crown or not, that they truly can accomplish their dreams, no matter how small or how big they may seem.”

~ Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025

Stockard was later asked what it meant to be a Hero of Hope, as well as what it meant to her to have that sort of recognition. She explained that, each year, each state recognizes one person who does not have a direct blood connection to someone with CF, but has made a huge impact as an advocate for CF awareness and fundraising.

“I don’t have a direct blood connection, but my best friend Maddie—we’ve been inseparable since the age of nine, and she’s also a student here at Auburn—I made a promise to her when I was a little girl that I would do everything in my power to fight for her and to fight for others that have this disease. So, I’m excited, as Miss America, to hopefully educate more people on how they can get involved and I truly believe that in this lifetime, there will be a cure found.”

~ Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025

Original 3A00D31D 6354 422D B202 49C20Fe7F89D Edited Abbie Stockard, Abbie Stockard Day, Auburn, Auburn University, Miss Alabama, Miss America, Miss Auburn University — Miss America 2025 stands with parents Brad and Kim Stockard. (Ella Walton / The Bama Buzz)

After the event, Stockard had a fun filled day at Auburn University, signing Samford Hall’s bell tower, attending a meet-and-greet in the Melton Student Center and more.

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