National 800-meter Champion to Speak at Mission Viejo School

Alysia Montaño, national 800-meter champion, will talk about her life story and encourage kids to "dream big" when she speaks at a Mission Viejo school fundraiser next Wednesday.  

The 25-year-old Montaño is scheduled to talk at the third annual Carl Hankey K-8 School Hawk Trot, a Nov. 16 event at Cordova Park, aimed at raising money for the school's international baccalaureate program. 

According to her coach and husband Louis Montaño, Alysia Montaño will also sign autographs and play games with kids "to help inspire parents and kids to lead healthier lives."

Born in Queens, New York and raised in Southern California, Alysia Montaño won her first national title at the 2007 USA Outdoor Track & Field with a time of 1:59.47 and is known for wearing a colorful flower in her hair in every race.

For more information about Alysia Montaño, visit http://www.usatf.org/Athletes/Bios/Johnson_Alysia.asp.

According to the school website, for every donation raised in support of the baccalaureate program, British Petroleum, the oil company, will match that contribution up to $5,000 per employee running in the fundraiser.

Last year the Hawk Trot raised about $44,692 for the school's internatual baccalaureate program according to the Orange County Register.