Montgomery Community Media

She teaches at her alma mater, John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring and she also happens to be a world-class Olympic triple jumper. Thea LaFond is back from the Tokyo Olympics where she suffered a heartbreaking foul on her last jump that would’ve earned her a silver medal. LaFond lives, works and trains […]

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games produced many memorable moments and athletes with strong ties to Montgomery County were involved in many. Team USA led all nations with 113 medals and 39 gold medals. At the top of the list was swimmer Katie Ledecky, who bounced back from a rare dose of adversity to cement her […]

Thea LaFond waited five years for an opportunity to return to the Olympics and find redemption on track and field’s biggest stage. The Kennedy High graduate and teacher, who resides in Silver Spring, qualified for the Tokyo Games, competing for her native Dominica, a small Caribbean island. LaFond carried the Dominica flag in the Opening […]

Before she left for Tokyo to represent the country of Dominica in the Olympics, Thea LaFond, a John F. Kennedy High School teacher, spoke to MyMCM about what it takes to prepare for the women’s triple jump competition while educating students: LaFond competes in the triple jump finals on Sunday at 7:15 a.m., Eastern Standard […]

Thea LaFond waited five years for this opportunity. The Rio 2016 Olympic Games had been disappointing. She had injured her hamstring during training and finished last in the women’s triple jump competition. The John F. Kennedy High School graduate and teacher yearned for another chance to show her ability and prove she belonged among the […]

As Thea LaFond walked into the stadium and shared the duties of carrying the Dominica flag in the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday, there almost certainly were plenty of friends and family following along in Silver Spring. LaFond, who will compete in the triple jump representing the country in which she was born, teaches […]

Today is Monday, July 19, and here are five things to know in Montgomery County. 1. MCPS Teacher Headed to the Olympics:  John F. Kennedy High School teacher Thea LaFond is headed to the Tokyo Olympics to compete for the Caribbean nation of Dominica. LaFond holds the Maryland record in the women’s triple jump. This […]

There were mornings when Thea LaFond could sense students peering through the gymnasium doors, waiting for the bell to ring so they could attend class. A few watched – some in awe – as their teacher worked her way through the weight room, pounding serious iron. “You lift a lot of weight,” one said. Another […]