In 1975, a scholarship program was introduced – thanks to Les and Betty Knapp who, for many years, raised and sold plants to help support this worthwhile effort. Our first scholarship ($2,000) was awarded to Tracey W. Ward, a Northern High School graduate who attended Temple University Business School.
Today the Optimist Club awards three scholarships each year. Over the past 43 years, the Calvert Optimist Scholarship Program has awarded $278,250 in scholarships to graduates of Calvert County Public Schools. The scholarships are judged on the completion of an application and an essay. Applications will be available at the Guidance Offices of all Calvert County High Schools and here on our website on the 1st of February of each year.
The Optimist Club of Calvert is proud to announce our 2024 Scholarship Winners!
Sarah Davis, a recent Calvert High School graduate, was awarded the 2024 Les Knapp Scholarship, valued at $8,000. Sarah will be attending the University of Maryland this fall majoring in Dietetics. Sarah Hurley, a recent Northern High School graduate, was awarded the 2024 Jim King Scholarship, valued at $6,000. Sarah will be attending Hamilton College in New York this fall majoring in International Relations. Kennedi Jones, a recent Huntingtown High School graduate, was awarded the 2024 Robert L. Chaney Career/Vocational/Technical Scholarship, valued at $3,000. Kennedi will be studying Computer Science at Hood College in the fall.
Sara Bevard, a recent Calvert High School graduate, was awarded the Edward V. Dorsey, Jr. Junior Optimist Scholarship, valued at $3,000. Sara will be attending Liberty University in Virginia this fall majoring in Biomedical Science. Emma Brezina, also a recent Calvert High School graduate, was awarded the Edward V. Dorsey, Jr. Junior Optimist Scholarship, valued at $3,000. Emma will be attending Stevenson University this fall majoring in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics. Congratulations Sarah, Sarah, Kennedi, Sara, and Emma! 
Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Winners!
We are proud to announce the Optimist Club of Calvert‘s 2023 Scholarship Winners! A recent Huntingtown High School graduate, Isabella Rosasco was awarded the 2023 Les Knapp Scholarship, valued at $8,000. Isabella will be attending George Washington University this fall majoring in Political Communications.
Nathan Coston, a recent Huntingtown High School graduate, was awarded the 2023 Jim King Scholarship, valued at $6,000. Nathan will attend George Mason University, majoring in Creative Writing.
Michaela Graham, who is also a recent Huntingtown High School graduate, was awarded the 2023 Career/Vocational/Technical Scholarship, valued at $3,000. Michaela will attend Alleghany College of Maryland to earn an Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Care. Congratulations Isabella, Nathan, and Michaela!
Pictured (l-r): Scholarship recipients Nathan Coston, Michaela Graham, Isabella Rosasco, and Betty Knapp, Scholarship Committee Chair.
2022 College and Career Scholarships Awarded
We are proud to announce our 2022 Scholarship Winners! Madison Conner, a recent Calvert High School graduate, was awarded the 2022 Les Knapp Scholarship, valued at $8,000. Madison will be attending the University of North Carolina, Wilmington this fall majoring in Exercise Science.
McKenzie Conner, a recent Calvert High School graduate, was awarded the 2022 Jim King Scholarship, valued at $6,000. McKenzie will be attending the University of North Carolina, Wilmington this fall majoring in Elementary Education.
Kobe “Hutch” Valentin, also a recent Calvert High School graduate, was awarded the 2022 Career/Vocational/Technical Scholarship, valued at $3,000. Hutch will be attending North Dakota State College of Science to earn an Associate Degree in Business and to complete the Diesel Technology – CASE International Pro