Matthew Herrera, a student at Lubbock High School and part of the IB program, is a part of Pickle Pals which is an after school program focused on community and fun. Matthews fondness for Pickleball came from when he first played the sport with his friend Silas Washington. Matthew is an avid Tennis and Ping-Pong player, and instantly took a liking to pickleball. With this newfound interest in pickleball, when given the opportunity to help with the school club, he gladly accepted.

Through the nonprofit organization Pickle Pals, Matthew aims to provide youth with the opportunity to engage in physical exercise and develop essential life skills through the sport of pickleball. By creating a supportive and fun environment, Pickle Pals encourages children to stay active, build friendships, and learn teamwork and perseverance. His goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background or access to facilities, can experience the joy and benefits of playing pickleball, fostering both their physical and personal growth.