Tulsa's McLain High School Welcomed Back BOK Financial Employees

It's back-to-school week for districts in Oklahoma, and students at Tulsa's McLain High School were welcomed by a special team of volunteers.

Employees at BOK Financial lined the entrance to McLain High School this week, holding signs, cheering, and giving snacks to both teachers and students as they arrived for class. BOK Financial has been working with the group “City Year” to welcome students back since 2014.

City Year is an organization that supports students and helps to develop future leaders. BOK Financial has pledged $100,000 for the next three years to support City Year.

“Our mission here at City Year is to ensure that students are at school, in class, and making the academic gains they need to become the future workforce of Tulsa and beyond,” said City Year Executive Director Paul Davis. “And I’m increasingly reminded that it’s the power of community that makes that happen. We can’t do it alone; it takes young people to serve as Student Success Coaches in red jackets and community members to come alongside.”

City Year recently awarded BOK Financial CEO Stacy Kymes a “red jacket,” which is given to community leaders who impact their community.

Kymes added, “As a CEO, I’m focused on building a continual learning culture at the Bank of Oklahoma. For our community to thrive, we must focus on education, especially for those who are in marginalized or underserved communities. If we can improve attendance levels and put students on the right track to graduate, they are far more likely to become successful and be prepared for life after high school.

McLain High School students are preparing to be the leaders of our community. Their strength and commitment to achieving their goals is inspiring. At Bank of Oklahoma, we want to invest in students at McLain and we are proud to invest in them with City Year. We see what a difference-maker City Year can be for those kids.”