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?
Essay Contest
Each year an essay contest open to all students in Calvert County middle and high schools under the age of 19 is sponsored. The deadline for submission of Club essay entries will be posted after January 1. The Club winner must be forwarded to the district level by February 28th. At the Club level, prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of each age group. The winner of the high school division moves on to the Maryland South Delaware Optimist District competition, where a $2,500 scholarship is awarded to the winner. The 2024-25 school year topic is: “How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success.”
The contest is open to students under age 19 (as of October 1, 2024) who have not yet graduated from high school. Entries should be between 700 and 800 words in the format specified in the contest rules.
Please download the Essay Contest Application for more information, including the rules and entry form.
Congratulations to the 2024 Respect for Law Honorees!
Over a quarter of a million law enforcement officers have been honored by Optimist Clubs around the world since the program’s inception over 50 years ago by Optimist International. The Optimist Clubs of Calvert-Prince Frederick and Solomons are proud to continue this tradition.
The Optimist Clubs of Calvert held their 56th Annual Respect for Law Awards Banquet last night, honoring seven members of law enforcement. Congratulations to this year’s honorees (pictured l-r): Animal Control Officer Hannah Neel, Public Safety Dispatcher II Christina Havey-Santivasci with Calvert Emergency Communications, Trooper First Class Robert “Bob” Kreczmer with the Maryland State Police – Prince Frederick Barrack “U”, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class Kamrhen Parks, Master Deputy Ronald Richardson with the Calvert County Detention Center, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police Corporal Jason Kreider, and Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony R. Navalaney. Photo credit: Marty Madden, Southern Maryland News
Prep Work for Patuxent High School’s 2024 Project Graduation
Kenny Hoofnagle Memorial Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to Patuxent High School senior Jim Oster, recipient of the 2024 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). Jim is pictured with Club President Candace Milcarzyk.
Congratulations to our Kenny Hoofnagle Raffle Scholarship Winners
First Prize: Sissi Moore, Large Framed hand-drawn portrait – Priceless
Second: Eve Cox, Mac’Nificent Mobil Detailing – $350 value
Third: Kristy Clements, Hilton Garden Inn – $250 value
Fourth: Da Humphreys, Chesapeake Golf for Four – $192 value
Fifth: Deb Spigler, Maerten’s Fine Jewelry Neckless – $140 value
Sixth: Norma Pike, Solomons Christmas Tree – $120 value
Seventh: Kristy Clements, Christmas Tree – $100 value
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.
President Candace Milcarzyk
Allen Fissel, and Arnold Humphreys.
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.
Kenny Hoofnagle 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
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.