Olympic medalist Brittany Brown made a fitting return to her alma mater Vista del Valle Elementary School last week during its 50th annual track meet.

The school’s track meet helped spur Brown into athletics. She became a professional sprinter in 2018 after graduating from the University of Iowa, embarking on a career that has included a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. World Athletics ranks her as the second fastest woman in the world in the 200-meter event. She aims to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

“I discovered track in fourth grade in a time in my life that was very, very hard; when I didn’t know if the bills were going to get paid and I didn’t know if I had a house,” Brown said on April 24 at Vista. “I’m so honored to be here today to be in a full circle moment, to know that in a hard time in my life, I discovered a sport, I discovered a love of running.

“I know a lot of people go through hard stuff. I know a lot of kids go through hard stuff. They go through issues with their parents and their families and are not sure if they’re going to eat. I just want you to know that even though life is hard and you’re not going to know everything all the time, just know that you’re powerful and that life is about the circle and it always comes back around and you always can figure it out. And yes, you have to pick yourself up so many times and countless times you’ll fall; you’ll fall, but you will always be able to pick yourself up.”

After cheering on Vista athletes competing in the track meet and attending the awards ceremony, Brown was honored by the school’s unveiling of a mural depicting her in a Vista track uniform holding the Olympic torch and leading students around a track.

Brown was emotional.

“I never thought that girl living in the hotel over there,” Brown said, pointing toward the former Knights Inn, “sharing a room with my siblings and my mom and dad, I never thought I would be on a mural at this school. I never thought I’d be an Olympian. I just knew that I could keep going.”

The project was spearheaded by Vista’s new principal Charles Boulden, who, after learning the track meet was turning 50, contacted Xiucoatl Mejia, the artist behind the school’s “Once a Vista Kid, always a Vista Kid” mural.

Vista del Valle Elementary School sixth grade teacher Mominani Garcia shares an embrace with Olympian Brittany Brown on April 24. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“From there, he and I begin to kind of plan some things,” Boulden said. “Brittany Brown’s mom comes every year for a turkey potluck that we have — they donate turkeys, they do things for a potluck that we have with the whole school. I talked to her about the 50th anniversary and said, ‘Hey, we were thinking about maybe creating a mural to honor Brittany from it because she’s an Olympian.’ The Olympics are coming in 2028 so we begin to have those ideas, mom said ‘Great,’ and put me in contact with Brittany.”

Brown led a coaching session for Vista students in early April, where the weight of the moment began to set in.

“When I came here behind the scenes, the kids are painting, I was doing some breathing exercises with the kids over there, and I was just thinking, ‘S**t, this is real,’” she said. “You know, not many people have this, and I’m just super thankful the principal and people have taken time to honor what I’ve done and just show that it’s possible.”

“We’re in the education business; that means we’re in the growth business,” Boulden said. “We want to see everybody grow … and she’s a great example for that.”

“I would love for this piece to be remembered for the strength that it takes to actually get up and run,” Mejia said. “And if you can’t run, what it takes to just get up at all or to do anything.”

Vista fifth grader Eliana Ocegueda received the message.

Brittany Brown flips through a book written by fifth grader Paris Simpson (center, in red), “I’m Rooting for Everybody Black,” which features the Olympic bronze medalist, at Vista del Valle Elementary School on April 24. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

The mural “makes you think that you can do anything that you set your mind to, and that it just takes a little bit of hard work and perseverance,” said Eliana, who hopes to become an engineer or professional athlete.

Students asked Brown for photos and autographs throughout the day on their ribbons, T-shirts, and even their shoes.

Vista fifth grader and Student Body Vice President Paris Simpson gave Brown a book she wrote  called “I’m Rooting for Everybody Black” about notable Black figures. Brown was visibly delighted after flipping through the pages to her entry.

“It means a lot” to have Brown on campus, 11-year-old Paris said. “Somebody told me once that I wouldn’t make it as vice president; look at me now.”

Sixth grade teacher Mominani Garcia was one of Brown’s former instructors.

“As a teacher, one of the greatest gifts is watching a student discover who they are and then seeing them grow into that person,” Garcia said. “And Brittany has done exactly that. She became an Olympic bronze medalist through years of discipline, sacrifice, medical issues, pain, and of course, hard work. While many people see the medal, those of us who knew her see the same persistence she showed long ago on the playground, and of course as a member of the Vista track team. The drive that helped her succeed on the world stage began right here as a young student.”

Born in Fontana, Brown attended Claremont schools while living between Pomona, Claremont, Chino, La Verne, and Perris. In her final year at Claremont High, Brown was the Sierra League and CIF-Southern Section champion in the 100- and 200-meter sprints and runner-up in both events at the state meet. At the University of Iowa, Brown was a five-time Big 10 champion and Second Team All American. She holds school records for the 200-meter sprint at CHS and Iowa.

Olympic medalist Brittany Brown signs autographs at Vista del Valle Elementary School on April 24. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“Despite all that she has achieved, Brittany has never forgotten her roots,” Garcia said. “She and her family continue to give back to the community, still donating to our annual turkey raffle, still supporting the people and places that helped shape her journey, including after her Olympic win recognizing and thanking Dwayne Jackman and his family, the principal that started this track meet we held today. And that says everything about her character.”