Before Devan’s diagnosis, she was an active young athlete, spending her early childhood competing in soccer, volleyball, and golf. In 2015, after weeks of knee pain and limping, she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. At seven years old, she went from a busy, energetic child to a pediatric cancer patient facing chemotherapy and major surgery. Her treatment required 30 weeks of intensive chemotherapy and a decision about how to remove the tumor in her left knee. With her family’s support, she chose Van Ness Rotationplasty, an amputation technique that offered long‑term function and the possibility of returning to the activities she loved.

Recovery meant learning to walk again and rebuilding strength after years of limited immunity. That determination carried her through school, where she maintained strong academic performance with dual enrollment at Adolfo Camarillo High School and the Ventura College District. She has competed in varsity golf and volunteers with the Centennial Guild supporting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She also participates in adaptive sports through Angel City Games.

Devan’s great grandparents and grandparents attended USC, and that legacy led her to choose USC, where she’ll begin her freshman year as a Health and Human Science major.