EAST PROVIDENCE — The 2024 East Providence High School Unified Basketball League squad made its season debut recently at home against visiting Mt. Pleasant, the program now almost a decade old and showing no signs of losing any steam.

The Townies' roster this spring is as follows: Athletes — Justin Aguiar, Marin Bessette, JoJo Branco, Seth Garrett, Josh Harris, Ben Nascimento, Ben Nunez, Adam Rattigan, Aliyah Rodrigues, Mitchell Snead, Colby Wallace and Jaiden Wright; Partners — Kyanna Burgo, Mikayla Gallagher, Emma Johanson, Lily Johanson, Jason Russo Jr. and Tyius Tate.

EPHS Health and Phys Ed instructor Kristen, who helped initiate the program nine seasons ago, returns as the head coach along with occupational therapist and assistant Dana Brodin, who serves as the Townies' Unified volleyball coach, now in her fifth season and long-time aide Beth Studley.

Unified Sports, which include volleyball in the fall, are a collaborative effort between the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and Special Olympics Rhode Island, bringing together students with special needs, the "athletes," together with their peers in the general population, the "partners."

One of East Providence's returning student partners is junior Kyanna Burgo, back for her second year of supporting the Unified hoops program. Burgo admitted to being somewhat trepidatious, not having any experience of being around anyone with disabilities either in her family or among her friends. However, those feelings quickly changed once she joined the basketball team last spring.

"Yeah, I'm not going to lie, at first I was like I'm not going to like this. I'm going to get bored with everything, but actually it was a lot of fun and I also ended up doing volleyball, too, because I had so much fun," Burgo said prior to the Townies' season opener against the visiting Kilties. "It's just fun and it's a really good way to like get with society. And it's really fun to be around them."

Burgo credited Coutoulakis with prodding her to become a Unified partner, acknowledging her teacher was correct that she would enjoy the experience.

"It was really Couty," Burgo explained. "She told me I would have a lot of fun and that I would really enjoy it and that the kids are really nice. And she was right. The kids are all nice. They're a lot of fun. It's really good."

Coutoulakis said, unfortunately, there remains a bit of a "stigma" about being associated with the Unified program among the students, but that with participants like Burgo they "pushing back" on that misguided feeling.

"It's about opening up inclusion to the other students," Coutoulakis continued. "And I think other kids are inspired by Kyanna. I encouraged her to come with us. These kids need her. And it just comes out naturally from her when she's out there with them. She's out there to help them, and she also wants to play ball. But it's all about having fun. We need more kids like Kyanna willing to help out."

EPHS Principal Bill Black, himself a former high school varsity basketball coach, understands the importance of the program to both the individual and the school community and how it can be a fulfilling exercise particularly for the partners.

"I would have a conversation with them about the benefits of Unified: teamwork, inclusivity, peer support," he explained. "If they have an interest in being involved in something that is bigger than themselves and enjoy the sport it sells itself. They can represent the school, be a part of a family type atmosphere."

Black is also similarly appreciative of not only the program, but of how it now embodies the kind of vibe he and his staff attempt to create in the building.

"The Unified program means everything to EPHS," Black said. "I’m blessed to be around students, teachers and parents who care so much about each other. It's a model of inclusivity that brings the school community together. I love being at games and seeing all of the teachers and staff in attendance. It’s a great example of how we all support each other here at the high school."