The Summer 2024 Olympics have officially kicked off in Paris, and a local doctor has the opportunity to practice medicine during the Olympic games. Dr. Mark Lavallee will serve as one of the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) Chief Medical Officers. Dr. Lavallee is a Sports Medicine Physician at UPMC in Harrisburg, Pa. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the medicine field including 27 years as the chairman of sports medicine for USA weightlifting. Dr. Lavallee sat down with The Spark host Asia Tabb about his journey to the Olympics and more in depth about his role as a IWF Chief Medical Officer.

The Summer 2024 Olympics have officially kicked off in Paris, and a local doctor has the opportunity to practice medicine during the Olympic games. Dr. Mark Lavallee will serve as one of the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) Chief Medical Officers. Dr. Lavallee is a Sports Medicine Physician at UPMC in Harrisburg, Pa. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the medicine field including 27 years as the chairman of sports medicine for USA weightlifting. Dr. Lavallee sat down with The Spark host Asia Tabb about his journey to the Olympics and more in depth about his role as a IWF Chief Medical Officer.

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, host Asia Tabb starts 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 WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

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, host Asia Tabb 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 WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

UPMC doctor to serve as chief officer for Olympic games

Chrissie Senecal

Fred Rogers

(00:00:00)

Local historian and Shippensburg University professor Chrissie Senecal explores the stories of influential Pennsylvania women of Irish descent, connecting Women’s History Month with the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Senecal examines three notable women, focusing on why each is historically significant, how their Irish identity shaped their paths, and what tied them to Pennsylvania’s evolving social landscape. She also places their achievements within the broader trends of their eras, offering rich historical context and a fresh look at the resilience, cultural pride, and impact of Irish‑American women in the Commonwealth.

(00:22:24)

Communication professor Ed Arke reflects on the lasting impact and mission of Fred Rogers, whose gentle approach to children’s media shaped generations. With more than 25 years of teaching and a background in broadcast journalism - including years at a host with us at WITF - Arke now introduces his first‑year college students to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as part of a seminar exploring Rogers’ legacy. Arke’s research highlights Fred Rogers as an early pioneer of media literacy, long before the field was formally recognized. Through slow, thoughtful communication, emotional honesty, and unwavering respect for children, Rogers taught young viewers how to understand the world and their feelings, a mission that continues to influence educators, creators, and families today.

(00:00:00)
Local historian and Shippensburg University professor Chrissie Senecal explores the stories of influential Pennsylvania women of Irish descent, connecting Women&rsquo;s History Month with the spirit of St. Patrick&rsquo;s Day. Senecal examines three notable women, focusing on why each is historically significant, how their Irish identity shaped their paths, and what tied them to Pennsylvania&rsquo;s evolving social landscape. She also places their achievements within the broader trends of their eras, offering rich historical context and a fresh look at the resilience, cultural pride, and impact of Irish‑American women in the Commonwealth.
(00:22:24)
Communication professor Ed Arke reflects on the lasting impact and mission of Fred Rogers, whose gentle approach to children&rsquo;s media shaped generations. With more than 25 years of teaching and a background in broadcast journalism - including years at a host with us at WITF - Arke now introduces his first‑year college students to&nbsp;Mister Rogers&rsquo; Neighborhood as part of a seminar exploring Rogers&rsquo; legacy.&nbsp;Arke&rsquo;s research highlights Fred Rogers as an early pioneer of media literacy, long before the field was formally recognized. Through slow, thoughtful communication, emotional honesty, and unwavering respect for children, Rogers taught young viewers how to understand the world and their feelings, a mission that continues to influence educators, creators, and families today.

Honoring Heritage and Heart: Irish‑American Trailblazers and the Enduring Legacy of Fred Rogers

Student ICE Protests

Dan Tomaso

Erica Jo Shaffer

(00:00:00)

We spotlight student activism in York, where William Penn High School students organized powerful walkouts protesting increased ICE enforcement and advocating for classmates living in fear of deportation. Their grassroots movement - sparked by a single social media post - has inspired students across multiple districts to join in solidarity. We break down how the protests grew, why students felt compelled to speak out, and the personal stories driving their courage.

(00:11:48)

Then, we shift gears as meteorologist Dan Tomaso dives into the latest weather patterns and what to expect as winter transitions toward warmer days.

(00:23:26)

Finally, Erica Jo Shaffer helps us welcome spring with fresh insights, seasonal inspiration, and what this time of year means for our community.

(00:00:00)
We spotlight student activism in York, where William Penn High School students organized powerful walkouts protesting increased ICE enforcement and advocating for classmates living in fear of deportation. Their grassroots movement - sparked by a single social media post - has inspired students across multiple districts to join in solidarity. We break down how the protests grew, why students felt compelled to speak out, and the personal stories driving their courage.
(00:11:48)
Then, we shift gears as meteorologist Dan Tomaso dives into the latest weather patterns and what to expect as winter transitions toward warmer days.
(00:23:26)
Finally, Erica Jo Shaffer helps us welcome spring with fresh insights, seasonal inspiration, and what this time of year means for our community.

York Students Lead Anti‑ICE Walkouts as Spring Weather and Seasonal Insights Take Center Stage

Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson’s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson’s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the “Significations” series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.

We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.

We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano’s comments about Gettysburg’s “sharp left turn” and his concerns about the town’s cultural direction ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional—discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.

Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever

 

Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for&nbsp;The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson&rsquo;s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson&rsquo;s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the &ldquo;Significations&rdquo; series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.
We talk with Andrew Dalton, President &amp; CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town&rsquo;s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.
We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano&rsquo;s comments about Gettysburg&rsquo;s &ldquo;sharp left turn&rdquo; and his concerns about the town&rsquo;s cultural direction ahead of America&rsquo;s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional&mdash;discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.
Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever
&nbsp;

UPMC doctor to serve as chief officer for Olympic games

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