SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Cal State San Marcos cross country and track & field standout Kate Bouvatte served as a guest speaker at Del Dios Middle School's Gear Up year-end event last week.

Gear Up is an organization that promotes college readiness to youths by providing them with a variety of services, including exposing students to different extracurricular activities that are provided in college.

Bouvatte discussed her experience as both a full-time student and a collegiate athlete at Cal State San Marcos, emphasizing the importance of time management, dedication to one's own education and making positive choices and decisions while in school.

Bouvatte, a junior, earned three All-America awards this season in the 5,000m, 10,000m and indoor 3,000m.

For more information on the Gear Up program at Del Dios, click here.