by Sheri Duff 

Devan Wilkins must be quite the defender. According to CVU head girls' lacrosse coach Julie Sloan, "Devan plays a defensive position with offensive mentality to move the ball forward. Her midfield defensive skills and ability to intercept the ball are what makes her a strong player on this CVU team."

A varsity lacrosse player since her sophomore year, Wilkins picked up a stick when she was in the fifth or sixth grade at the Shelburne Community School. "I remember playing in the recreational league," Wilkins said, "My dad was my coach."

Born on Feb. 26, 1993, Wilkins has lived in Shelburne her entire life. Her family includes parents, Barbara and Tom, older sisters Dana, who lives in Washington, D.C. and Kendra, who attends UVM, younger brother Sam, who is 12-years-old, and their dog Ripley. Recently the family became a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. They will raise Kerry, a female 10-week-old black Labrador retriever, until she is approximately 14 to 16-months old.

Wilkins explains the decision to become a puppy raiser, "My dad has always had an interest in being a Guiding Eyes puppy raiser and as my senior graduation challenge project approaches, we though it would be a cool idea."

The responsibilities of a Guiding Eyes puppy raiser include such tasks as making the puppy part of the family, teaching good social skills and house manners, exposing the puppy to a variety of experiences, attending classes and "Walk & Talk" assessments, filling out periodic reports, and coordinating health care with Guiding Eyes. And...the most important and perhaps the most difficult task, is giving Kerry up when she's ready for advanced training. "Kerry will always have a place in my heart and I will miss her but I know she will be going off to help someone who really needs it. I will be like a proud parent, I will miss her but know that she is going on to be something great."

It could be said that Wilkins' has adopted Guiding Eyes mission. They are both dedicated to enriching the lives of the blind and visually impaired by providing them with the freedom to travel safely, assuring greater independence, dignity and new horizons of opportunity.

But wait there's more sports: in addition to lacrosse, Wilkins enjoys downhill skiing for fun and plays defense for the CVU girls' varsity soccer team. Making the varsity team, especially as a junior, is one of her greatest accomplishments to date. "I was extremely proud of making the varsity soccer team this year," she says without hesitation. "But I am equally as proud of the friendships that I have made over the years in my neighborhood, at school, and with my teammates," she shares. "I feel like these relationships are special. I think I will have these friends for a long, long time."

Coach Sloan agrees with Wilkins' assessment of herself, "Devan is well-liked and highly respected by her teammates. Her sense of determination and strength of character make her an enjoyable person to be around." Sloan added, "Her leadership skills and lacrosse abilities will make her a great candidate to be team captain next year."

This two-sport varsity athlete was recently inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS). All NHS members must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and are chosen on the basis of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Wilkins' is just beginning to think about the future. Her short-term plans definitely include college somewhere that might incorporate her interest in math and science.

As for the long-term there will always be a time and a place in the world for natural leaders who can build good relationships and are visionaries and defenders of opportunity. Just like Wilkins.