Welcome

Welcome

Optimist Club of Solomons

The Optimist Club of Solomons is a not-for-profit organization supporting the youth of Calvert County. Our mission is to make the world a better place one child at a time. 

What’s New?

2024 Kenny Hoofnagle Scholarship Application

The Optimist Club of Solomons awards a $2,000 ($500 per year of attendance) scholarship to provide financial assistance to a student graduating from Patuxent High School for undergraduate study in the field and at a college or university of their choice. Ken Hoofnagle was our club charter president and we award this scholarship in honor of the service and dedication that Mr. Hoofnagle exhibited throughout the years of his service to the youth of Calvert County. The application deadline is April 30, 2024. Click here for the application.

Optimist Club of Solomons Celebrates 50 Years of Service

The Optimist Club of Solomons celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the Calvert Marine Museum on Saturday, February 3, 2024. There were approximately 80 attendees – members, past members, friends, and guests at the event. Highlights of the evening included Commissioner Mike Hart presenting President Candace Milcarzyk with a Proclamation from the Calvert County Commissioners recognizing their service to the community and Lifetime Members Allen Fissel, Arnold Humphreys, and Peter Siegert receiving plaques from President Candace. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the GrooveSpan Trio and the 7th District Optimist Club of Bushwood, Maryland catered the buffet dinner.

We had another successful Christmas Tree Sale – Thank you for your support!

2023 Youth Appreciation Week

As part of the Optimist International (OI) program for youth appreciation, the Optimist Club of Solomons recognizes select high school seniors as the “outstanding youth” of the county. Please join us and the Optimist Club of Calvert in congratulating the Seniors chosen by Patuxent High School as their Outstanding Youth for 2023.

Patxuent High School honorees (l-r) Elena Saucedo, Katelyn Tinsley, Victoria McCready, Makenza Kenner, Allison Gallaher, Eden Wainwright, Lillian Erickson, and Ivy Blackwell.  Not pictured: Honorees Hermes Johns and Dhiraj Patel. Photo credit: Marty Madden/Southern Maryland News.

Trunk or Treat!

Optimist Club of Solomons and St Paul’s UMC hosted a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Children attending the event received treats and played witch ring toss, corn hole, and mini golf games!

Congratulations to the 2023 Respect for Law Honorees!

Seven honorees from various Calvert County law enforcement agencies were honored for their dedication to their professions and the community at the 54th Annual Respect for Law Awards Banquet on July 24, 2023, hosted by the Calvert-Prince Frederick and Solomons Optimist clubs. This year’s honorees were Corrections Deputy First Class James Strain, Assistant State’s Attorney Allison Walton, Calvert County Sheriff’s Master Deputy Robert W. Burggraff, Maryland State Trooper First Class Kevin Bauer, Animal Control Officer Kaitlin Sewell, Public Safety Dispatcher I Theresa Anderson and Maryland Natural Resources Police Officer First Class Allison Higgs.

Pictured (l-r) Solomons Optimist Club Treasurer Allen Fissel, Honorees James Strain, Allison Walton, Robert W. Burggraff, Kevin Bauer, and Kaitlin Sewell. Theresa Anderson and Allison Higgs were unable to attend the event.

Attending the 2023 Respect for Law Ceremony and Dinner were (l-r) Dave and Debbie Spigler, Allen Fissel, Arnold, and Ronald Humphreys.

Kenny Hoofngale Memorial Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to Patuxent High School senior Olivia Pouncey, recipient of the 2023 Kenny Hoofnagle Memorial Scholarship! The Kenny Hoofnagle Scholarship provides financial assistance to a graduating senior at Patuxent High School with a $2,000 scholarship ($500 per year of attendance) Olivia is pictured with present Club President Candace Milcarzyk (l) and Board Member Ford Cox.

Prep Work for Patuxent High School’s Project Graduation

We would like to thank the following businesses for donating items for our Scholarship Raffle

Congratulations to our newly formed Adolescent Clubhouse Junior Optimist Club!

Easter Celebration at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Thank you for supporting our Christmas Tree sale!
All proceeds go directly to our community projects.

Youth Appreciation Week

Youth Appreciation projects are intended to make children feel important and highlight their positive contributions to society. Congratulations to the Seniors chosen by Patuxent High School as their Outstanding Youth for 2022! Pictured with the Solomons’ Optimist Club President Candace Milcarzyk are (l-r) honorees Reese Crowley, Micha Estep, Kaleb Elliott, Elizabeth Foster, Izabelle Neitz, Asa Revis, Wyatt Rickwood, Abigail Sass, Tristan Stowe, and Lillian Windsor.

Trunk or Treats!

Optimist Club of Solomons and St Paul’s UMC hosted a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Approximately 100 children attended the event, getting treats and playing witch ring toss, corn hole, and mini golf games.

Members of the Optimist Club of Solomons participated in the annual Trunk-or-Treat at the Ranch Club campground on Halloween night. Thank you members Jean Luc and Christine LeClerc and family for decorating their vehicle and handing out candy.

Congratulations to our 2022 Respect for Law Honorees

Congratulations to Animal Control Officer Blair Buckler, Corrections Deputy Alexandra Hart, Maryland State Police Trooper First Class Matthew Moorman, Calvert County Emergency Communications Public Safety Dispatcher I Cynthia Loveless, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Officer Allison Higgs, Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lee Ann Bell, and Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class William Freeland. (Pictured L-R)

Club Picnic – September 2022

Congratulations to our Kenny Hoofnagle Scholarship Winner!

Ken Hoofnagle was the club charter President and we honor his service and the dedication he exhibited throughout the years of his service to the youth of Calvert County. The Kenny Hoofnagle Scholarship provides financial assistance to a graduating senior at Patuxent High School with a $2,000 scholarship ($500 per year of attendance). Congratulations to Patuxent High School senior Dalton Newsome, recipient of our inaugural Kenny Hoofnagle Memorial Scholarship. Dalton is pictured with present Club President Candace Milcarzyk.

Congratulations to our Raffle Winners!

The club recently sold raffle tickets as a fundraiser for our Kenny Hoofnagle Memorial Scholarship. The four winning raffle tickets drawn on July 4, 2022, belonged to:

Solomons Inn Two Night Stay – Nancy F.

Hilton Garden Inn Two Night Stay – Wayne F.

Blue Heron Overnight Stay – Moe M.

Ruddy Duck Gift Certificate – Katona J.