When Dr. Hagir Elsheikh’s son, Kareem, was diagnosed with autism, she found herself navigating an under-resourced system. Determined to change that reality for other families, she founded Kareem’s Mission—a nonprofit dedicated to providing support, advocacy, and education for individuals with autism across Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

When Dr. Hagir Elsheikh&rsquo;s son, Kareem, was diagnosed with autism, she found herself navigating an under-resourced system. Determined to change that reality for other families, she founded <a href="https://kmissiontv.com/">Kareem&rsquo;s Mission</a>&mdash;a nonprofit dedicated to providing support, advocacy, and education for individuals with autism across Central Pennsylvania and beyond.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

How Kareem’s Mission Is Transforming Autism Support in Central Pennsylvania

When Stella Boheme received the first physical copy of her debut book, Read Like a Queen, she was overcome with emotion.

“Oh my gosh… the word that just comes to mind for me is surreal,” she said in an interview on The Spark. “It went from an idea that I had to start writing and every step of the way it just felt like, am I really doing this? And when I finally got the physical advanced copy, it finally hit me that yeah, this is happening.”

Coming out this September, Read Like a Queen is a bold reimagining of the traditional tarot guide, wrapped in the sparkle, empowerment, and self-discovery that defines Boheme's unique life as both a seasoned tarot reader and a dynamic drag performer.

Also, on the program

 

As Central Pennsylvania faces one of its soggiest seasons on record, gardeners are feeling the effects—and wondering how to keep their plants thriving. On a recent segment of The Spark, WITF’s resident gardening expert Erica Jo returned to share timely tips and tricks for navigating rain-soaked soil, fungal threats, invasive pests, and more.

When Stella Boheme received the first physical copy of her debut book, <a href="https://schifferbooks.com/products/read-like-a-queen">Read Like a Queen</a>, she was overcome with emotion.
&ldquo;Oh my gosh&hellip; the word that just comes to mind for me is surreal,&rdquo; she said in an interview on The Spark. &ldquo;It went from an idea that I had to start writing and every step of the way it just felt like, am I really doing this? And when I finally got the physical advanced copy, it finally hit me that yeah, this is happening.&rdquo;
Coming out this September, Read Like a Queen is a bold reimagining of the traditional tarot guide, wrapped in the sparkle, empowerment, and self-discovery that defines Boheme's unique life as both a seasoned tarot reader and a dynamic drag performer.
Also, on the program
&nbsp;
As Central Pennsylvania faces one of its soggiest seasons on record, gardeners are feeling the effects&mdash;and wondering how to keep their plants thriving. On a recent segment of&nbsp;The Spark, WITF&rsquo;s resident gardening expert <a href="https://www.wildlycraftedwoman.com/">Erica Jo</a> returned to share timely tips and tricks for navigating rain-soaked soil, fungal threats, invasive pests, and more.

The Spark Weekly 6.22.2025: Stella Boheme and Erica Jo Shaffer

On this week’s edition of Journalist Roundtable, the focus turned to a deeply troubling and emotionally charged case that’s raised pressing questions about youth violence, accountability, and the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania.

A 15-year-old York County teen was recently convicted of third-degree murder in the shooting death of a 12-year-old, a case that has shaken the local community and drawn wide attention. Joining the discussion were Jonathan Bergueller of PennLive and Aimee Ambrose of the York Dispatch, two journalists who have been following the story closely.

On this week&rsquo;s edition of Journalist Roundtable, the focus turned to a deeply troubling and emotionally charged case that&rsquo;s raised pressing questions about youth violence, accountability, and the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania.
A 15-year-old York County teen was recently convicted of third-degree murder in the shooting death of a 12-year-old, a case that has shaken the local community and drawn wide attention. Joining the discussion were <a href="https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2025/06/what-were-deliberations-like-at-13-year-olds-murder-trial-we-may-never-know-heres-why.html">Jonathan Bergueller of PennLive</a> and <a href="https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/crime/2025/06/11/red-lion-community-mourns-as-nolan-grove-prepares-to-appeal-guilty-verdict/84150509007/">Aimee Ambrose of the York Dispatch</a>, two journalists who have been following the story closely.

Journalist Roundtable:  York County Teen Convicted in Shooting Death of 12-Year-Old

What began as a childhood curiosity led to a lifelong career for Season Daugherty, a cheerleader-turned-executive who’s been part of the competitive cheer world for decades. She now works with Varsity Spirit, one of the largest cheerleading organizations in the country. In a recent interview, Daugherty took us behind the scenes of All-Star Cheerleading—a fast-paced, high-stakes sport that’s often misunderstood.

What began as a childhood curiosity led to a lifelong career for Season Daugherty, a cheerleader-turned-executive who&rsquo;s been part of the competitive cheer world for decades. She now works with <a href="https://www.varsity.com/?direct">Varsity Spirit</a>, one of the largest cheerleading organizations in the country. In a recent interview, Daugherty took us behind the scenes of All-Star Cheerleading&mdash;a fast-paced, high-stakes sport that&rsquo;s often misunderstood.

How Kareem’s Mission Is Transforming Autism Support in Central Pennsylvania

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