Abbie Stockard, a 21-year-old nursing student at Auburn University, clinched the title of Miss Alabama 2024 at Samford University’s Wright Center in Birmingham on Saturday night. Representing Miss Hoover, Stockard stood out among 39 contestants, impressing judges with a contemporary dance performance and excelling in talent and evening gown segments, securing top scores in both.

Stockard, succeeding Brianna Burrell, expressed her excitement and honor at being chosen to represent Alabama at the upcoming Miss America competition. Her platform, "Be the Change: Find a Cure — Cystic Fibrosis Awareness," reflects her dedication to community service.

The pageant, which featured a health and fitness segment instead of swimsuit competition, emphasized physical fitness and intellectual prowess. Beyond her pageant duties, Stockard plans to pursue a career in nurse anaesthesia specializing in paediatrics, advocating for healthcare causes using her platform.

This year, the Miss Alabama pageant awarded a total of $126,500 in scholarships, including a $15,000 scholarship to Stockard for her win. She joins a legacy of influential women using the Miss Alabama platform to effect change, promising to empower young women and raise awareness for cystic fibrosis during her reign.

The top 13 semifinalists included:

1. Dominique Verville, Miss Cahaba Valley
2. Imani Muse, Miss Birmingham
3. Chloe Yates, Miss Phenix City
4. Maddi Heath, Miss Jubilee
5. Lauren Vance, Miss Covered Bridge
6. Mikella Anderson, Miss Appalachian Valley
7. Ibby Dickson, Miss Historic Springville
8. Emma Terry, Miss Jefferson County
9. Mary-Coker Green, Miss Auburn University
10. Marissa Luna, Miss University of Alabama
11. Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover
12. Emma Wright, Miss Tennessee Valley
13. Hannah Adams, Miss Mobile Bay

After the initial rounds, the list was narrowed down to the top five finalists:

1. Abbie Stockard, Miss Hoover (winner)
2. Emma Terry, Miss Jefferson County (first runner-up)
3. Maddi Heath, Miss Jubilee (second runner-up)
4. Marissa Luna, Miss University of Alabama (third runner-up)
5. Hannah Adams, Miss Mobile Bay (fourth runner-up)

While the glamorous on-stage performances draw attention, the Miss Alabama pageant also emphasizes substantial scholarship opportunities, with $126,500 awarded this year across various categories, as detailed in the Miss Alabama pageant guide.