The Optimist Club of Rockville is a community service club that has been serving Rockville and the surrounding area of Montgomery County since 1955.  It is affiliated with Optimist International, an organization established in 1919 dedicated to serving youth and practicing the priciples of optimisim in service to the local communities.  The Rockville Club sponsors an annual Essay Contest and an annual Oratorical Contest for students.  It also sponsors a student each year at the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Program and is a contributing sponsor of the Rockville Safety Awards Program.