By Tally Dettling
Grace Davis—a life-long Vestavia Hills resident, employee at both Gigi’s and The Pants Store and Auburn Eagles graduate—has always been known for her love of style and bringing joy to others. After being asked to participate in the Best Buddies program in November 2024, Grace couldn’t have predicted the opportunities that awaited her. From her pairing as Abbie Stockard’s Best Buddy for the year, to watching Abbie crowned Miss America 2025 and finally an invitation to appear in a Sephora and Best Buddies collab, it has been an exciting, jet-
setting end to summer for the recent Auburn University grad. On August 17, Davis got to share her beautiful smile with the world on a Times Square billboard in New York City, as part of National Nonprofit Day. I recently sat down with Davis and her mom, Laura, to hear about her once-in-a-lifetime experience.
OTMJ: Tell us a little bit about Best Buddies and how you first became involved with the organization?
Laura: Last year, Abbie Stockard was invited to be a candidate for the 2024 “Champion of the Year” at the annual Best Buddies fundraising gala. Because of their friendship in high school, the organizers of the Best Buddies Citizens program felt that Grace and Abbie would be a good pair. That was about two weeks prior to Abbie becoming Miss America.
What kinds of things have you and your Best Buddy done throughout the year?
Grace: We hang out with our buddy at different events…like dinners or going to get dessert and outings—including playing bingo at the Local with other Best Buddy Citizens’ participants. I also got to sit with Abbie at the Champions Gala last year, as well as go see her compete in the Miss America Pageant in Orlando last summer.
How has Abbie encouraged or inspired Grace as her Big Buddy and now as Miss America?
Laura: One thing I’ve always wanted for Grace, was to help her get into public speaking. We were invited to surprise Abbie at the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Indianapolis this summer. Abbie was up on stage giving her speech to an audience of 2,000 plus guests, and then they surprised her with a video that had Grace telling her how thankful she was to have her as her buddy and best friend and how she wished she could be there. At the end of the video, Grace walked out on stage and surprised Abbie. Then, Grace got to speak and began talking about how much Abbie’s friendship meant to her…in front of 2,000 people! I was so amazed! She was so poised. One of my goals would be for her to have more opportunities like that across the country.
What is one of your favorite memories from being a part of Best Buddies?
Laura: My mom passed in 2023. One of our favorite things to do together was watch the Miss America program on TV every year. To know Abbie personally and be able to attend the live pageant and ultimately see her win, it truly was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever had with Grace.
Grace: We had tickets for the last night of the competition and were so excited when Abbie made it into the Top 11! We kept saying “she’s got to win! She’s so good!” and then she did.
After it was over, we got to go to the after party. Abbie gave me a shout out! During her speech she said, “Fun fact, my Best Buddy is here!” Also, seeing my face up on a big billboard! That was another great memory!
So yes, the billboard…you were part of a huge Sephora campaign in Times Square recently—how were you selected for this opportunity?
Laura: I got a call from Grace Anne Maughan, Director of Mission Advancement for Best Buddies in Alabama. She said, “I know it’s last minute, but one of our senior directors who works with our national partners reached out thinking Grace would be a perfect fit for an upcoming opportunity. Can you make it to New York?” This was just two weeks after we’d been in Indianapolis so a bit of a whirlwind, but I’m so glad we were able to work it out to be there.
What was the most memorable part of your NYC trip?
Grace: My favorite part was seeing myself on a billboard in Times Square and getting to see my AOPi sorority sisters, Madeline and my Big Sis Ryan. It was amazing! We took lots of pics in front of the billboard! We also went to lunch at Stardust Diner. I got to go shopping at Zara…one of my favorite stores, and we got yummy gluten-free cookies at Culture Espresso. I also got to hang out with my Big Sis Ryan at her apartment and watch a movie.
How has being involved with Best Buddies shaped your friendships, confidence and opportunities?
Grace: Best Buddies means being seen, celebrated and surrounded by real friends that love me for exactly who I am. It’s been a great place for me to make new friends and helped me adjust to being back home in Birmingham. I’ve missed my friends from Auburn.
Laura: Grace has some big goals, and Best Buddies is helping her have the confidence and independence she needs to accomplish those goals. We hope she’ll one day get to live in her own apartment with roommates, continue with public speaking and if you ask Grace—eventually get married!
ALL ABOUT BEST BUDDIES
Best Buddies is an international 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on creating true friendships between those with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Alabama, there are two of Best Buddies’ five national mission pillars: One-to-One Friendship and Leadership Development. Within these program pillars, Best Buddies makes an impact in the local elementary, middle, high school, college and adulthood seasons, creating a more disability-inclusive community for all ages.
Friendship chapters pair students with a disability in a peer-to-peer friendship with someone with no disability. These programs foster inclusion, build confidence and create lasting friendships that extend beyond school and into the community. Our Leadership programs train and support our student chapter leaders and local ambassadors, allowing them to grow in their leadership skills, public speaking, professionalism and more. Together, these programs empower individuals with IDD as leaders and advocates while positively impacting all community members, fostering greater disability inclusion across schools, workplaces, and communities throughout Alabama.
For more information about Best Buddies and more specifically, the Citizens Program and Champion of the Year gala, please visit: bestbuddies.org/alabama/volunteer/.
