"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." – Mulan
 
Davan, a four-year-old from Chico, is the most beautiful of flowers.
 
Davan has bravely battled a life-threatening illness since birth. She loves all things pink, dogs, and butterflies. But mostly, she loves princesses. Her wish is to meet as many real life princesses as she can!
 
"If you keep believing, the dreams that you wish will come true." – Cinderella
 
The Chico State Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) teamed up with Make-A-Wish® of Northeastern California and Northern Nevada to grant her wish Saturday between games of the Chico State baseball doubleheader against UC San Diego at Nettleton Stadium.
 
Thanks to Enchantment Children's Parties, Belle and Rapunzel were on hand to deliver Davan a tiara, hand-made teddy bears, and various gifts from the athletics department, Chico State Bookstore and Chico State baseball team. Chico State's student-athletes then presented her with a card explaining that her dream to meet Rapunzel, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel at their home in Walt Disney World is coming true!
 
Davan's parents, Leanne Jones and Arica Stiliha, are both especially touched by the fact that Chico State's student-athletes were granting this wish. They are both Chico State alumna, and Jones played softball for the Wildcats.

"With Davan's moms being alumni and one being a softball alum, it was a story that hit home for us. They are part of our Wildcat family," said SAAC co-President Haley Kroll. "We are all honored to be part of such a special event for Davan. She's a very special little girl."
 
"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you." – From Disney's Pinocchio
 
Davan is the third local child adopted by the Chico State SAAC, which consists of representatives from each of the Wildcats 13 teams. Fundraising events throughout the year have previously enabled SAAC to help make the wishes of two young boys in Chico come true.
 
In 2011, SAAC, working in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, sent nine-year old Mason Fontana and his parents to Hollywood so that Mason could appear on his favorite TV show, "Yo-Gabba-Gabba."  In 2014, SAAC helped 15-year old Marcus Tice in his wish to go to college by donating $5,000 to start a 529 College Savings plan.
 
"It grounds you," explained SAAC co-President Hannah Wilkins. "It not only humbled us, but it touched all of the student-athletes' hearts in the midst of all of our crazy schedules and games. It brings us back to what's really going on and what being a Wildcat really means. It's about being a part of the Wildcat family."
 
About the NCAA Division II/Make-A-Wish partnership:
NCAA Division II has been a sponsor of Make-A-Wish since 2003 raising more than $4 million since the alliance's inception. The alliance consists of Division II student-athletes who conduct predetermined fundraisers and volunteer their time to benefit Make-A-Wish. The mission of the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the student-athlete experience by promoting opportunities for all student-athletes, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

The student-athlete advisory committee is made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The committee also offers input on the policies that affect student-athletes lives on NCAA member institution campuses.
Division II prides itself on being the only division thus far to sponsor a division-wide community service campaign with Make-A-Wish®.
 
Make-A-Wish® of Northeastern California and Northern Nevada was established in 1983 as one of the early local chapters of Make-A-Wish® America, which is the leading wish-granting organization in the country.  Since then, it has granted more than 5,600 wishes to children within its 37-county service area. The mission of Make-A-Wish® is to grant wishes to children, age 2 ½ to 18, with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
 
For more information about Make-A-Wish® Northeastern California and Northern Nevada, call 916.437.0206 or visit www.necannv.wish.org.