Abbie Stockard Crowned Miss America 2024
TDT | Manama
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Abbie Stockard, a 22-year-old nursing student and cheerleader from Auburn University, has been crowned Miss America 2024. Stockard, who was previously named Miss Alabama, emerged victorious on Sunday night at the annual pageant held in Orlando, triumphing over 51 other contestants representing U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Annette Addo-Yobo, the first foreign-born winner of Miss Texas, claimed the runner-up position, while representatives from Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio rounded out the top five.
The evening began with contestants dazzling the audience in gold mini dresses and black sashes before the field was narrowed to 11 finalists based on preliminary events earlier in the week. The finalists competed in choreographed dance routines and several judged segments, including fitness, talent, eveningwear, and interviews.
A Night of Talent and Inspiration
Stockard wowed the judges with a contemporary dance performance set to a song by Christian artist Lauren Daigle. For the eveningwear portion, she donned a stunning backless silver and white gown. In the interview segment, she addressed the issue of unemployment, emphasizing the importance of workforce reentry and skill adaptation in the post-pandemic era.
Runner-up Addo-Yobo shared her personal immigration journey, recounting how her family arrived in the U.S. with only two suitcases and a dream. Her heartfelt story resonated with the audience and judges alike.
Talent performances from other contestants included slam poetry by Miss Texas, clogging by Miss Oklahoma, and a jazz dance routine by Miss Wisconsin to Lesley Gore’s iconic “You Don’t Own Me.”
A Legacy of Empowerment
Stockard credited her mother, who worked multiple jobs, and her best friend with cystic fibrosis, as her inspirations. Her charity initiative during the pageant raised funds for cystic fibrosis research, a cause close to her heart.
“This is insane. I don’t know what I did to deserve this,” Stockard exclaimed in a video posted to the official Miss America Instagram account following her win.
Founded in 1921, the Miss America pageant has a storied history, evolving from a highly televised event to a competition now streamed on niche platforms. Last year’s titleholder, Madison Marsh, made history as the first active-duty military member to win the crown. Marsh served as an ambassador for the organization, breaking stereotypes in both the pageant and military worlds.
The event also crowned Peyton Bolling of Arkansas as Miss America Teen 2024, part of a competition for contestants aged 14 to 18.
Pageant Evolution
The Miss America Organization continues to adapt, increasing its maximum contestant age to 28 in 2023. Other pageants, like Miss Universe, have gone further, eliminating age limits altogether, resulting in contestants like 80-year-old Choi Soon-hwa competing internationally.
However, the organization remains under scrutiny. In September, a lawsuit challenged its exclusion of mothers from competing, and an ownership dispute between business partners has raised further questions about its future.
Despite these challenges, the 2024 Miss America pageant showcased empowerment, talent, and the enduring spirit of its contestants. Stockard now embarks on her year-long reign, representing the Miss America Organization and advocating for causes close to her heart.
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