Optimist Club of Calvert » A Friend of Calvert's Youth

The Optimist Club of Calvert is a non-profit organization run by adult volunteers. Our mission is to help kids in the local community with service projects, scholarships, and support for other youth organizations. The Optimist Club of Calvert has touched the lives of many youth and adults in our community through the projects and programs that we have sponsored over the last fifty-six years. We are always eager to enhance and expand our efforts to be the ‘Friend of Youth’ and provide service to the community.

New Members Welcome !!!
Join us at one of our monthly dinner meetings! Meetings Dinner meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month, starting at 7 p.m. at O’Gannigan’s Irish Pub in Prince Frederick. (Meetings are not held in December.) For more information about becoming a member, please visit our Membership page or email CalvertOptimists@gmail.com for more information.

Optimist Clubs of Calvert Hold 57th Annual Respect for Law Banquet

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, honoring seven members of law enforcement at their 57th Annual Respect for Law Awards Banquet on September 9. Congratulations to this year’s honorees (pictured l-r): Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy First Class Edwin Bradley, Trooper First Class Eedin Barrientos with the Maryland State Police – Prince Frederick Barrack “U”, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Officer First Class Allison Higgs, Animal Control Officer Savannah Bell-Bussler, Assistant State’s Attorney Benjamin G. Lerner, Deputy Ran Mister with the Calvert County Detention Center, and Public Safety Dispatcher I Andrea Osbourn with Calvert Emergency Communications.

The Optimist Club of Calvert is Proud to Announce our 2025 Scholarship Winners!

At our July dinner meeting, we had the pleasure of meeting our 2025 Scholarship winners. Corinne Page, a recent graduate of Northern High School, was awarded the 2025 Les Knapp Scholarship, valued at $8,000. Corrine will be attending William & Mary this fall, studying Environmental Science and Elementary Education.

Mollie Chiarizia, a recent graduate of Calvert High School, was awarded the 2025 Jim King Scholarship, valued at $6,000. Mollie will be attending St. Mary’s College of Maryland this fall, studying Psychology and Business.

Alyssa Lane, who recently graduated from Northern High School and attended the Calvert Technology Academy, was awarded the 2025 Robert L. Chaney Career/Vocational/Technical Scholarship, valued at $3,000. Alyssa will be majoring in Cybersecurity/Information Technology at Mount St. Mary’s University in the fall.

Congratulations Corinne, Mollie, and Alyssa! Pictured (l-r): Scholarship Committee Member Glenn Knapp with recipients Mollie Chiarizia, Alyssa Lane, and Corinne Page.

Andrew Jackson “Jack” Brown (1944-2025)

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved friend and fellow Optimist, Andrew Jackson “Jack” Brown, Jr., has passed away. Jack was an active member of our club for the past 27 years and served in various roles, including Board Member and Club President. However, many will remember him as a staple at our Christmas Tree lot, where he enjoyed catching up with former students and loyal customers.

Jack was also a mentor and cheer leader to fellow Optimists and sponsored 25 new members to our club over the years. He will be missed by not only the Calvert Optimist Club but by all of Calvert County. We offer our condolences to the Brown family.

https://rauschfuneralhomes.com/…/andrew-jackson-jack…

Memorial contributions may be made to: Optimist Club of Calvert, Jack Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund, Humane Society of Calvert County, Hospice of the Chesapeake

2025 Project Graduation for Calvert & Northern High Schools

Congratulations to the 2024-25 Optimist “Rising Stars in CTE” Juniors of the Year!

Academy of Health – Victoria Schreffler, Automotive – Tristan Hitchcock, CASE (Agriculture) – Wilson Liu, Carpentry & Home Improvement – Chaz Rogers, CISCO Networking & Cybersecurity – Kayla Jones, Cosmetology – Emiley Ruffin, Culinary Arts – Kirsten Ziegler, Electricity- Ethan Carter, EMT/Fire – Matthew Kaiser & Ryan King, Graphic Communications- Aeliyah Waul, HVAC – Jason Frey, Interactive Media Production – Indira Davis, Welding – Avriel Stowe

2025 Youth Fishing Derby

2025 MDSD ZONE 4 ORATORICAL CONTEST

For the first time in over 12 years, our Zone had enough clubs holding Oratorical Contests that we could hold a Zone Level Competition. Our club’s contest winner, Brett Sheranko, competed against two contestants from St. Mary’s County – one representing the Mechanicsville Optimist Club and one representing the Lexington Park-St. Maries (correct spelling) Club. Brett continued his winning streak, coming in first place! He and the second-place winner will advance to the Maryland South Delaware District Oratorical Contest in Ocean City in late April. Pictured are Contestants Brett Sheranko, Esther Bonney (Mechanicsville Club) and Grace Fitzgerald (Lexington Park-St. Maries Optimist Club).