From our start, Old Glory Bank has stood as a beacon of what's possible when you focus on the core of what makes America great - its people. Here, we don't see diversity through the lens of skin color, sex, gender, or religion but through the lens of shared values and individual merit. Our commitment to being a bank for all Americans, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed based on their abilities, is unwavering. We have built our team on the basis of skill, experience, contribution, and potential, which leads to a naturally diverse and energetic environment.
Together, we're not just banking on America; we're banking on the promise of America and its people. We are looking to the bright young minds poised to shape the future of our country while upholding the tenets upon which it is built: freedom, integrity, perseverance, and strength.
In following these principles, Old Glory Bank created our Merit Scholarship, a one-time $10,000 scholarship awarded to a rising college freshman, focused on recognizing the academic, service, and leadership qualities of the student.
To be considered, students were required to be an Old Glory Bank account holder and meet minimum GPA requirements. They were asked to submit a transcript demonstrating their academic accomplishments, a resume outlining their community involvement and leadership roles, and an essay.
We received incredible submissions from student leaders across the country, all of which went through a blind review process and were evaluated based on academic record, demonstrated leadership and community service, and their personal essay. Our review process was carefully structured and anonymized to ensure an unbiased consideration of every applicant, as neither their name, their school, nor their geographic location was known to the scholarship committee. Each reviewer scored the submission based on a defined rubric, and each application was evaluated by several committee members independently.
The top ten applications were identified as semi-finalists, which were then sent to our panel of final judges, made up of distinguished community leaders and former educators. Everyone who had the privilege of reviewing the scholarship applications was impressed by the contributions and accomplishments of these young Americans. It has been an honor to learn more about each of them.
Taryn Sage McCaa is a dedicated and accomplished young leader from Oklahoma with a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and veterinary science. A distinguished student at Elmore City Pernell High School, Taryn graduated in May 2025 with an impressive academic record, holding a 4.38 weighted GPA, a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA, and 33 hours of concurrent college coursework.
Taryn plans to attend Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary concentration, with the goal of becoming a specialized equine veterinarian. Her commitment to agriculture and leadership is evident through her extensive involvement in both the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4-H programs.
As a passionate advocate for youth in agriculture, Taryn served on the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Youth Council and the American Farmers & Ranchers Youth Advisory Council. She has also been a four-time attendee of the AFR Youth Leadership Summit and represented her peers at numerous leadership events across the state.
In 4-H, Taryn has shown exceptional leadership, serving as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Reporter. Her contributions have earned her the prestigious Garvin County Hall of Fame Award and the "I Dare You" Leadership Award. She is a 4-H State Record Book Winner and a respected 4-H Camp Counselor, mentoring younger members since 2020.
Beyond her leadership in agriculture, Taryn has made her mark in her school and community. She has served as Class President, Student Council Vice President, and a member of the National Honor Society. Her civic engagement includes organizing community service projects like clothing drives, food bag distributions, and veterans' outreach.
Taryn’s achievements in livestock exhibitions are equally notable. She has competed in the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Tulsa State Fair, and Garvin County Junior Livestock Show for nearly a decade. Her affiliations with the Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association, Maine Anjou Association, and the American Quarter Horse Association further reflect her commitment to the agricultural community.
Recognized as an Oklahoma Youth Expo Academic Allstate honoree and an Intertribal Agriculture Council Essay Finalist for three consecutive years, Taryn exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and service. Her journey reflects a powerful combination of intellect, passion, and perseverance – values that built America and which she will undoubtedly use in college and beyond to bless her community and our country.
Congratulations, Taryn! We are excited to see what is ahead for you!
Applications for Old Glory Bank’s 2026 Merit Scholarship will be accepted beginning in January, with a due date in late February 2026. The guidelines and requirements are outlined on our site.
If you know a current senior who exemplifies the ideals of patriotism, dedication, integrity, and leadership, please tell them to open their Old Glory Bank account now and watch for more details on our Merit Scholarship page.
The future of America is bright!