17³Ô¹ÏÍø

For the Keyes family, hard work and a deep sense of belonging have shaped a legacy closely tied to the University of 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. This spring, Sadie Keyes continued that tradition by following in her sister’s footsteps as the family’s second Taylor Medalist, finding her own place at a university that had felt like home long before she ever set foot on campus as a student.

“I knew from the start that I wanted Ole Miss to be my home away from home,” said Keyes, an elementary education major from Monroe, Louisiana.

For Billy Keyes, her grandfather, watching his second granddaughter receive the prestigious honor brings his family’s educational journey full circle. Keyes joins her sister, Kayleigh, who received the distinction in 2020, adding another proud chapter to their family story. The honor — the highest bestowed by the university — is awarded to fewer than 1% of its undergraduates. 

“When Kayleigh got the Taylor Medal, I thought it was unbelievable,” Billy Keyes said. “And then when Sadie did too, well, I just about fell out of my chair.

The family’s newest Taylor medalist has excelled while preparing for a teaching career that fulfills her passion for working with children.

“I’ve always loved working with kids,” she said. “It’s just fun. They keep you young, and you never know what crazy thing they’re going to say or do.”

Keyes immersed herself in campus life, participating in and joining a sorority. She said her time at Ole Miss helped her grow not only academically, but personally.

“When I think about who I was freshman year compared to now, it’s such a difference,” she said. “I was nervous and scared to step into what I was passionate about. Now, I feel confident and excited to get into the classroom and help students.”

She credits the for preparing her well for the “real world” of teaching.

“At Ole Miss, we don’t just learn about teaching,” she said. “We get into classrooms early, and by the time we’re seniors, we feel ready.”

After graduation, Keyes will continue her education at Ole Miss, pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education while serving as a graduate assistant at the .

For Kayleigh Keyes, sharing the Taylor Medal honor with her sister makes the experience even more meaningful.

“It’s a testament to our hard work and dedication,” she said. “We’ve always supported each other in our academic journeys, and this honor reinforces our bond as siblings.

“It’s a proud moment for both of us, and I believe we’ll cherish this experience together for years to come.”

Her younger sister agrees, adding that her bond with her sister has only deepened because of their shared path.

“I can call her when I have questions or just need advice,” she said. “She understands because she walked this road not too long ago. Having her support has meant everything.”

For Billy Keyes, the true reward isn’t just the medals or the degrees, or even the shared love for Ole Miss — it’s the young women his granddaughters have become.

“Those two girls are my life,” he said. “There’s no way I could be prouder of them.”

Top: Sadie Keyes, an elementary education major from Monroe, Louisiana, continued her family’s proud Ole Miss legacy by becoming the second Keyes sister to earn a Taylor Medal, the university’s highest academic honor. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

See more photos from Sadie Keyes' Journey to Commencement