Illinois Teens Set Pickleball Lesson World Record

Emerson Hebel was supposed to be watching "The Godfather" in her Film As Literature class Thursday. Instead, the 17-year-old Naperville North High School senior found herself making history with a pickleball paddle in her hand.

Hebel joined more than 1,000 fellow students at Naperville North High School for the largest simultaneous pickleball lesson ever recorded. The event, organized by youth nonprofit KidsMatter, officially broke the Guinness World Record on February 12, 2026.

"I'd rather be doing this for sure," Hebel said as she practiced serves with her friend and pickleball partner, Rhyse Filip. For many students like Hebel, it was their first real introduction to the sport that's been sweeping America.

Sebastian Zylstra, 17, was among the hundreds of teens lunging, swinging, and laughing their way through the historic lesson. The massive gathering transformed regular gym class into a celebration of community and sport.

KidsMatter chose pickleball for good reason. The sport has exploded in popularity across the United States, offering an accessible way for people of all ages and abilities to get active together.

The Ripple Effect

This record-breaking moment does more than just put Naperville on the map. It introduces an entire generation of young people to a sport that builds community, encourages physical activity, and brings different age groups together on the same court.

The timing couldn't be better. As screen time reaches all-time highs among teenagers, events like this show that given the chance, young people still choose real connection and movement over sitting still.

KidsMatter's creative approach to youth engagement turned an ordinary Thursday into an unforgettable experience. The students didn't just break a record—they discovered a new way to connect with friends and stay active.

Those Film As Literature students can always catch "The Godfather" later, but they'll never forget the day they became world record holders.