Sarah Kate Grice, MS Scholarship Recipient Continues Family Legacy of Helping Others

Apr 2, 2025

By Cindy Baugher

Sarah Kate Grice of Richland, Mississippi is eager to start on her next chapter towards her final goal of becoming a pediatrician. When she reaches that final goal, she will be joining both her parents in choosing a career dedicated to helping others in her community. Her mother is a nurse at the local VA hospital and her father is a sergeant with the Rankin County MS Sheriff's Department.

After completing her undergraduate degree at Mississippi College, Sarah Kate said she is planning on medical school and then a career in pediatrics since “she’s always been drawn to working with children because of their resilience, energy, and the unique challenges that come with providing medical care to young patients.” She felt led in that direction after volunteering with children in hospitals and community clinics where she was able to see firsthand just how vital providing compassionate and skilled care is. Community outreach and advocacy are areas where she pictures herself in the future as well.

Sarah Kate Grice cheering on the Mississippi College Choctaws

Sarah Kate is quick to credit her parents with being such positive examples of serving their community. She said, “Nursing, especially in a setting like the VA, is a tough but incredibly rewarding job, and my mom’s ability to balance that responsibility while staying involved in the community has taught me a lot about hard work and empathy. My dad’s role in law enforcement has given me a different but equally important perspective on service and community responsibility. Being a law enforcement officer comes with its own set of challenges, but it also requires integrity, courage, and a dedication to making the world a better place. Seeing my dad work in that capacity has shown me the value of standing up for what's right and protecting others, even when it's tough. My parents are not just professionals, but active participants in the lives of the people around them. That’s something special, especially in a small town where everyone looks out for each other.” 

Considering all that her parents embody, it’s not surprising that Sarah Kate calls her mom and dad the greatest influences in her life. She said, “My parents have always been there for me, supporting me in every step of my journey, whether I’m facing academic challenges or figuring out my future goals. Their unwavering belief in me has been a constant source of motivation, and I’m truly grateful for their guidance and love. My mom has taught me the value of compassion and understanding, always reminding me to put others first and to be empathetic. She’s a perfect example of how kindness can change the world around you. My dad, on the other hand, has instilled in me the importance of perseverance and integrity. He has always shown me that the road to success isn’t always easy, but with hard work and dedication, you can overcome any obstacle.”

Sarah Kate Grice pictured with her fiancé, Houston Jeffries of Brandon, MS

Sarah Kate is not unfamiliar with hard work and dedication herself. Graduating in 2021, she was quite active in high school at Park Place Christian Academy in Pearl, Mississippi. She was a member of the varsity cheer team and was selected as an all-American cheerleader. She earned first team all-district honors with the softball team as well. She also served as the National Honor Society president and a member of the National Beta Club. In addition, she was class president for Student Council all four years of high school. As a junior, she participated in the Rankin County Youth Leadership Program and as a senior, she was selected as the school’s homecoming and prom queen.

While in college, she has continued her pattern of involvement. Sarah Kate is a member of Mississippi College’s SCOUTS program, which welcomes new students and their families to MC. She is also president of her sorority and previously served as its spirit chair and vice president. She was an MC cheerleader for two years as well. Membership in the university’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is another point on her resume, as is being a member of the Student Health Coalition and being actively involved in conducting astrocyte research alongside some of her classmates. Notably, Sarah Kate juggled all of this extracurricular involvement and her rigorous academic load, while also working part-time at a candy store in Jackson, MS since her junior year of high school.

Sarah Kate Grice pictured with her father Heath Grice after being crowned as Park Place Christian Academy’s Class of 2021 homecoming queen

Sarah Kate chose Mississippi College for several reasons. She was drawn to their biology program because it aligns with her academic and career goals. She was also looking for a college experience which would help her grow not only academically, but spiritually as well. As a Christian university, MC fit the bill. A final factor for Sarah Kate was the smaller class sizes that MC offered, allowing her to make personal connections with her professors.

By majoring in biology-medical sciences, Sarah Kate is preparing for her next step, which is med school. She’s found that MC has provided her with a solid foundation in the biological and medical sciences due to its rigorous coursework and hands-on learning. She’s also been pleased with the opportunity she’s been given to engage with cutting-edge research, which she calls “critical, since medicine is constantly evolving.”

Although she likely doesn’t have a lot of down time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with her friends and family, including her sister, Sadie Klaire (who is planning to attend Ole Miss soon, followed by law school). Sarah Kate says she values the moments of connection and fun when she gets to relax and hang out and chat with her friends and family members. Another way she spends her free time, and not surprisingly given her major and career choice, is watching Grey’s Anatomy. She calls it a “source of inspiration and entertainment” and likes how it “dives deep into medical cases and emphasizes the importance of teamwork, compassion and the emotional challenges of being a physician.”

Grice pictured with her family, (l to r) Christa Grice, Sarah Kate Grice, Sadie Klaire Grice, & Heath Grice

As she wraps up her undergraduate work and looks toward medical school, Sarah Kate is grateful for the scholarship that she was eligible to apply for, thanks to her father’s PBA membership. She explained, “This opportunity means so much to me, not just because of the financial assistance, but also because it reinforces my commitment to achieving my goals and giving back to the community in the future. I’m inspired by the generosity of those who have made this scholarship possible, and I am determined to use it as motivation to continue working hard, staying focused, and striving for excellence.”

Sarah Kate’s father is understandably pleased with his daughter’s efforts and being named as a scholarship winner. He said, “I am incredibly proud of Sarah Kate’s achievements both academically and outside the classroom. Her success is a testament to her hard work, discipline and her commitment to both personal and academic growth. Her goal is to attend medical school, and practice medicine in our community. Despite the rigorous academic load, Sarah Kate has remained focused and driven. With the generous scholarship from the SSPBA, it allows Sarah Kate to continue her academic studies while focusing on her end goal of becoming a physician. We are incredibly grateful.”