• Abbie Stockard, crowned Miss America, supports the current age limit of 18 to 28, emphasizing its importance for fostering empowerment.
• Stockard believes that allowing contestants to maintain public relationships can help enhance recruitment in the pageant.
• The Miss America organization has shifted from strict anti-boyfriend policies, promoting a more inclusive environment.
• Changes in eligibility criteria are seen as beneficial for young women navigating their personal and professional lives.

Abbie Stockard, who recently won the title of Miss America on January 5, is advocating for the preservation of the pageant's age limit of 18 to 28, stating that it has significantly served the organization over its 104-year history. In an interview with Business Insider, Stockard, a 22-year-old student from Auburn University, expressed her appreciation for the age limit, explaining that it facilitates a sense of sisterhood and empowerment within the competition.

"This organization has always been about empowering young women," she mentioned, arguing that such regulations help maintain a supportive environment for contestants. Amidst competitors relaxing age limits, notably in the Miss USA pageant, Stockard affirmed her belief that Miss America should uphold its current criteria to foster a focused and nurturing climate for its participants.

In addition to her position on the age limit, Stockard is also pleased with a notable shift in Miss America's relationship policies. The previous unofficial "anti-boyfriend" stance, enforced during the tenure of former CEO Sam Haskell, is being replaced by a more progressive viewpoint. As highlighted in her comments, Stockard appreciates that the Miss America team now supports contestants’ public relationships, enhancing the overall appeal of the competition. "I'm so glad that it doesn't really matter now because it does not affect your job as Miss America at all," she explained in her interview.

Stockard shared her own experience, stating that having her boyfriend, Utah Jazz player Walker Kessler, fully support her role has made her title even more special. "I’ve heard stories of girls who just didn’t want to compete because they were in a serious relationship," Stockard noted, reflecting on how the new policy could serve as a recruitment boost. As contestants can now openly express their significant relationships without fear of jeopardizing their roles, this change may encourage more young women to participate in the competition, ultimately expanding its reach and diversity.

Overall, Stockard's insights underscore a transformative period for Miss America, advocating for both sustainable age limits and more flexible relationship guidelines as the organization continues to adapt for modern contestants. To read more about her views on the age limit and the evolving pageant culture, check out her detailed interview with Business Insider.