Texas Teen Makes an Impact Through Inclusive Athletic Program

Kayli Heine excelled in volleyball and track and field at West Fork High School in Kingwood, Texas, but her greatest impact may have come from creating opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience the joy of athletics.

During a volleyball practice last fall, Heine, then a senior, met with head coach Tammy White to discuss an idea: Invite students in New Caney Independent School District’s ASPIRE program, which serves students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to participate in a practice during a bye week.

The two knew the students well and understood the positive impact the opportunity could have. Heine, who plans to one day become a special education teacher, worked closely with students with disabilities through New Caney ISD’s Education and Training program, while White taught an adaptive physical education class.

The wheels got in motion from there and haven’t stopped since.

ASPIRE students and student- athletes met and participated in adapted drills, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Following the first inclusive event, Heine said the ASPIRE students couldn’t stop talking about the practice when they returned to school the next day.

“I went to coach White, and I was like, ‘I don’t think you realize how much (it meant to the ASPIRE students),” Heine said. “It was all my students were talking about the next day in the classroom. How much fun they had at volleyball with us, with our team. I thought … they should be able to go and experience every sport and to have that opportunity.’”

From there, the idea for Friends in Gator Sports, or FIGS, was born.

Soon after the inaugural unified practice, Heine connected with special education teacher Kaelin Morkisch to create FIGS and turn the idea into a more formal program.

The goal was simple: Give ASPIRE students opportunities to participate in sports while building friendships and fostering a sense of belonging.

With overwhelming support from school administration, and positive reviews from the student-athletes, the club took off.

FIGS now connects West Fork student-athletes with students in the ASPIRE program throughout the school year. Each month, students participate together in a different sport during the school’s athletic period.

Rather than creating a separate activity for ASPIRE students, FIGS brings students together through athletics. More than anything, the program is about making sure every student feels seen, valued and part of the team.

Last year, White, who also is West Fork’s girls athletics coordinator, said every sport hosted ASPIRE students at least once.

Heine attended all but one of the events because of a schedule conflict. She said it was inspiring to watch students connect through sports and form friendships that may not have developed without FIGS.

“You can just see the joy on their face being able to make a new friend who maybe their impression was wrong because of how capable they are,” Heine said.

Heine said her faith helped inspire the name FIGS, citing Luke 6:44, which says, “For people do not gather figs from thorns nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.”

The name reflected a message Heine wanted to carry throughout the program — that every student has value and deserves the opportunity to participate and be accepted for who they are.

“I’m very firm in my faith, in my belief, that Christ made us in His image so perfectly, and that all of us are made in His image, and that we should not be made any different than the way that we are,” Heine said. “So, I also wanted it to relate back to that message to the gospel.”

West Fork, which opened in 2022, is a relatively new high school, but FIGS already appears to be an important part of its culture. White said the program grew from about 10 ASPIRE students to 20 in its first year, and the plan is to continue expanding it even though Heine has graduated and is attending Texas A&M University.

“(Heine) is just an outstanding human being who is a very hard worker and always wants to give back and leave places better than she found them,” White said. “She’s got a heart of gold. She’s one who is going to put ideas into motion.”

For all of her efforts with FIGS, Heine – who was all an all-district volleyball player and record-breaking track athlete – was named the Houston Chronicle’s Community All-Star Athlete for girls in June.

Heine’s departure could have marked the end of the program’s first chapter, but White said her influence will continue through the foundation she helped establish.

For Heine, the experience also reinforced the direction she wants to take in her own future.

Jordan Morey is manager of communications and media relations at the NFHS.