MoCo's Most Famous

Silver Spring's Thea LaFond won gold for Dominica during the Paris Olympics. Recently, MCM talked with LaFond at our Rockville studios about her trumphant journey. LaFond, who lives in Silver Spring and represented Dominica at the Olympics, won gold in the women's triple jump in August. It was the first-ever Olympic medal for the island nation in the Caribbean. She was previously a teacher at John F. Kennedy High School, her alma mater, while also competing as an Olympian. LaFond shared her story with MCM on the 50th and most recent episode of MoCo's Most Famous.

Rockville resident and Landon School administrator Joan Vassos became a household name when she became a contestant on the ABC show The Golden Bachelor. Vassos, 60, hit it off with the show’s namesake Gerry Turner, a 71 year-old widower from Indiana, but then suddenly departed the show when her daughter asked her to come home. Vassos shared her story with MCM on the most recent episode of MoCo’s Most Famous. Available now on MyMCMedia, Overcast, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, Facebook, Pocketcasts, and Twitter.  Subscribe now.

Scott Van Pelt graduated from Sherwood High School and University of Maryland. After more than 20 years at ESPN, Scott Van Pelt has become one of the most successful and popular sportscasters in the business. The SportsCenter anchor has over two million followers on X, has hosted countless big sporting events and recently took over hosting duties for Monday Night Countdown. Van Pelt talked to MCM Director of Content Joe Yasharoff about how his friendship with Tiger Woods changed his life and coming back home to Montgomery County in the latest episode of MoCo’s Most Famous. Available now on MyMCMedia, Overcast, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, Facebook, Pocketcasts, and Twitter.  Subscribe now.

Kayla DiCello is a world-class gymnast at the University of Florida. The Boyds native and Northwest High School alum was recently honored as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Year. DiCello is working to make the U.S. Olympic team for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. She was selected as an alternate for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. DiCello spoke to MyMCM Director of Content Joe Yasharoff in the latest episode of the MoCo’s Most Famous podcast about her hopes and aspirations. Available now on MyMCMedia, Overcast, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, Facebook, Pocketcasts, and Twitter.  Subscribe now.

Lisa Ann Walter was born and bred in Silver Spring. She graduated from Blair High School and Catholic University. Two years ago, Walter became part of an ensemble cast that formed ABC's Emmy Award-winning show Abbott Elementary, about a public school in Philadelphia. Walter plays the tough but lovable Melissa Schemmenti on the show. Walter is the host and honorary marshall for the 2023 Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C. The comedian, actress and producer talked to Joe Yasharoff, myMCM's Director of Content, in the latest episode of MoCo's Most Famous. Available now on MyMCMedia, Overcast, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, Facebook, Pocketcasts, and Twitter.  Subscribe now.