Miss America’s smile never faded on Saturday as she met hundreds of fans during a celebration in her honor in Alabama.
Abbie Stockard, 22, a Birmingham native, returned to her home town for several events presented by the Miss Alabama Organization this weekend.
“I’m just so happy that y’all are here,” Stockard said during a heartfelt speech at a dinner on Saturday. “This weekend has exceeded all of my expectations, and this will go down as one of my favorite memories, probably of my entire life. Honestly, these past couple days, I have felt, really, like the luckiest girl in the world.”
For many admirers and well-wishers, however, the highlight had to be Saturday’s autograph party at the Soiree Event Gallery.
With her sparkling crown and silky sash in place, the new Miss America signed autographs and took selfies for more than two hours, greeting thrilled children, happy adults and even several babies.
(See photos from the autograph party in the gallery at the top of this post.)
Hundreds of people, including delighted children, attended an autograph party for Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, on Feb. 22, 2025, at the Soiree Event Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama. Stockard, a Birmingham native, signed autographs and took photo selfies with fans for more than two hours. (Mary Colurso | [email protected])
Stockard, who grew up in Vestavia Hills, won the Miss America title on Jan. 5, competing in the national pageant as Miss Alabama 2024. Seven weeks into her reign, folks in Birmingham were ready to welcome Stockard back into the fold, if only for a few days, as she continues to travel the country as Miss America.
READ: Miss America Abbie Stockard primed for homecoming events in Alabama: ‘Super excited’
According to Nan Teninbaum, president of the Miss Alabama Organization, a crowd gathered outside the Soiree Event Gallery before the doors opened at 10 a.m. All were avid fans hoping to be among the first to connect with Stockard. A long line formed immediately at the free event, as folks waited for their moment with Miss America.
The atmosphere was festive and bustling, reminiscent of national fan conventions that highlight stars in the science fiction, fantasy and wrestling worlds. And Stockard wasn’t the only celebrity in demand at the autograph party in Birmingham.
Ali Mims, Miss Alabama’s Teen 2024, right, signed autographs and greeted fans at autograph party for Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, on Feb. 22, 2025, at the Soiree Event Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama. (Mary Colurso | [email protected])
Miss America’s Teen 2025, Peyton Bolling, and Miss Alabama’s Teen 2024, Ali Mims, greeted fans as well, along with about 20 state titleholders from the Miss America class of 2025. Annette Addo-Yobo, Miss Texas 2024, was on scene, for example, as the runner-up for Miss America 2025.
Jordan Naylor, Miss Alaska 2024, traveled the farthest to be with Stockard at the events in Birmingham, but said she wouldn’t miss the hometown hoopla. The two were roommates at the Miss America competition in Orlando, Florida, and became fast friends.
Jordan Naylor, Miss Alaska 2024, right, greeted fans at autograph party for Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, on Feb. 22, 2025, at the Soiree Event Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama. (Mary Colurso | [email protected])
Photo cards were on hand at each autograph table, bearing images of Miss America and the pageant queens from each state. Posters and photo brochures featuring Stockard were on sale, as well.
Two of the most enthusiastic visitors, Bea Thompson, 12, and Louella Mae Crow, 11, went from table to table, securing autographs from all the titleholders. Bea, who was wearing a cast on her foot, got signatures on that, as well.
Hundreds of people, including Louella Mae Crow, 11, left, and Bea Thompson, 12, attended an autograph party for Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, on Feb. 22, 2025, at the Soiree Event Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama. (Mary Colurso | [email protected])
Jay Kreps, 17, also got creative, asking Stockard and Mims to autograph his arms. The teen proudly displayed his trophies for AL.com, but said he wasn’t planning to turn the signatures into tattoos.
Jay Kreps, 17, right, watches as Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, signs his arm at the Soiree Event Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama. Stockard, a Birmingham native, signed autographs and took photo selfies with fans for more than two hours. (Mary Colurso | [email protected])
When the autograph party concluded, Stockard’s Saturday celebration was far from done. She had two more public events on her agenda — a gala dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the Vestavia Country Club and an 8 p.m. show at Samford’s Wright Center, as well as private events in between.
Stockard had other appearances scheduled in Alabama last week, including events on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 19-20, at Auburn University. She was at Neville Arena on Wednesday, for example, when the Auburn men’s basketball team beat the Arkansas Razorbacks, waving to the crowd and dancing with the Tiger Paws.
Stockard is a student at Auburn, where she majors in nursing. Her goal is to earn an advanced degree, a doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice, and specialize in pediatrics. She’s a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at Auburn and has spent three years as a member of the Tiger Paws dance team.
Stockard reunited with fellow nursing students at Auburn on Thursday and had a reception with her sorority sisters. Wearing high heels, she also climbed a ladder at the Samford Hall clock tower on campus, signing her name on a wood panel inside the iconic structure.
Stockard is the fourth Miss Alabama to win Miss America, following in the footsteps of previous winners Deidre Downs Gunn, Miss America 2005; Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995; and Yolande Betbeze, Miss America 1951.
Hundreds of people attended an autograph party for Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, on Feb. 22, 2025, at the Soiree Event Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama. (Mary Colurso | [email protected])
READ: Who is Abbie Stockard? Miss America 2025 is the fourth winner from Alabama
Stockard hits the road again this week, but will return to Alabama on March 7 for the Center Point mayor’s prayer breakfast. She told AL.com she’ll be speaking at a women’s brunch in Dothan during the coming months, and is set to dance with the Tiger Paws during Auburn’s homecoming weekend in September.
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Publish date : 2025-02-23 06:21:00
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Publish date : 2025-02-23 19:47:14
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