Grace  is  the  daughter of  Doris  Gipson.  She attended Centennial High School where she was a member of the African-American, and Asian-American Clubs. Grace was also a member  of  the  National  Honor  and  the  French  Honor Societies, Upward Bound College Prep Academy, the Concert Band and Marching Bands, the Principals Scholars Program, Interact,  and was very involved in the Student Government of her  high  school.  Grace  was  a  Mentor-Protege, involved  in the Youth Leadership Network, Thespian and Drama Clubs, was on the  Speech  Team,  the  Senior Advisory  and Graduation Committees,  and  the  NAACP Youth  Council.  After graduation, Grace attended Hampton University in Virginia and majored in Humanities, Pre-Med., and Pre-Pharmacy. Grace is a  member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.  She was active in  the  Youth  Choir;  Director  of  the  Children's  Choir,  was a member  the Pacers  Outreach  program  for  new  members, attended  Sunday  school,  and  the  Baptist  Youth  Fellowship.  She  was  a  recipient  of the  Daughters of American Revolution award (DAR)  and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award.  She  was  named  Student  of  summer  for  Upward Bound, received a  Delta Sigma Theta Academic Achievement Award,  and  an Academic Letter for  achievement. Grace also received  the Ideal  Student Award, sponsored  by  the Urban League, an award for French Scholastic Achievement.  She remained  an Honor  Roll  student  since  her  freshmen  year. Grace was named Centennial High School Senior of the Month by WAND and WICD television stations.  She was employed at Best Buy in Champaign.  Her escort was Marcus Moore. Grace was presented by her uncle, Oscar Gipson and received by her mother, Doris.

Source: 27th Annual Cotillion Ball (1999)