Miss Alabama 2024 Abbie Stockard wasted no time getting out and about after being crowned on June 29. The following week was full of television appearances and news interviews.
Now, Stockard said she is ready to get to work on a year of service to Alabama.
"I really am excited about getting to hopefully continue being a role model to young women across the state and share my story to all of those I get to come into contact with," Stockard told 1819 News.
As Miss Alabama, Stockard said she wants to raise awareness and create more fundraising opportunities for cystic fibrosis. The cause became important to her when she met her friend Maddie in third grade. After watching Maddie struggle to breathe, Stockard vowed to do something.
Stockard said she also wants to promote the Miss Alabama brand and attract more young women to preliminary pageants.
In 2024, being Miss Alabama comes with unique challenges in navigating social issues and politics. Stockard said she is taking these topics seriously and continuing to educate herself.
"I see my role as Miss Alabama being more politically neutral just because I want to represent everybody from Alabama, no matter what you believe or how you feel about certain situations," Stockard said. "As you know, our world is a little crazy right now, especially with the upcoming presidential election."
However, as a nursing student, Stockard said it is hard to wrap her head around parents allowing children to take gender-affirming medications and treatments.
"I think about what I've learned and how when you're under the age of 18 you are growing so much physically," Stockard explained. "There's so many developmental changes that are happening, and to me, it just makes me wonder how is that going to impact them long term; If a child is under that age, do they truly have the mental capacity to understand a long-term decision that they are making?"
Regarding being a role model, Stockard said younger generations are often influenced by social media instead of reality. She wants children and teens to know they don't have to compare themselves with others.
"I have learned that one of the most important things that you can do for yourself is realize that you are loved, you are worthy and you are the most beautiful when you stay true to your unique selves," she said. "So, as Miss Alabama, something that I want to do is address that problem by going directly through social media and use my platform to post positive affirmations for women who are maybe scrolling on social media and finding themselves getting in that comparison trap and then maybe they follow the Miss Alabama page and they're reminded just how valuable and worthy they truly are."
Last month, the Miss National American Alabama pageant crowned Sara Milliken of Atmore. Milliken was thrust into the spotlight, which led to negative feedback about her weight. Headlines nationwide incorrectly called Milliken "Miss Alabama."
The Miss Alabama organization owns the title of "Miss Alabama" and is a partner with the American Heart Association. Stockard said she believes in sending "body-positive" messages and promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
"I think first we have to realize that healthy looks different on everybody and fitness isn't just one size, it's all kinds of different body shapes and sizes," Stockard said. "And I think it caused so much controversy just because a lot of people thought it was Miss Alabama but I think as long as you yourself are prioritizing a healthy lifestyle, that's what we should be focusing on."
The 21-year-old from Vestavia Hills remembers comparing herself to others and not feeling so great. She wasn't always a pageant girl but was interested in pageants because her mother competed in Miss Alabama years before. Still, Stockard didn't get into pageants until her freshman year at Auburn University. She said she went on a whim because of the scholarship money.
"I learned and grew so much, and this year, I had a plan on how I was going to be a success for Miss Alabama and how I was going to leave a lasting and positive impact on this organization," Stockard said. It means the world that I have this opportunity to represent the state and serve those within the community and truly feel as if I am making an impact and touching the lives and the hearts of the people across Alabama."
Stockard is hoping to make appearances across the state and attend events. To book Stockard for an appearance, email missalabama@misslabama.com.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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