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GISD Elementary Students Help Break Sport Stacking World Record
Garland ISD students across several campuses combined speed, skill, and fun to help set a new Sport Stacking world record.
December 12, 2025 | by GISD Communications
Garland ISD elementary students across several campuses helped set a new Stack Up! world record from November 18 to 20, joining more than 784,000 participants worldwide in the “Most People Sport Stacking at Multiple Locations.” While reaching for the record, students also sharpened coordination, focus, teamwork, and quick thinking, blending fast-paced cup stacking with fun movement and fitness challenges in their PE classes.
Students at Kimberlin and Hillside Academies for Excellence were among those who participated. Coach Summer Killion at Kimberlin has been involved in the world record attempt for four years. She first learned about the event during a professional development session from Sport Stacking. Each year, the organization provides cups, a shirt, and stickers to every participating student. She shares the event with families on ClassDojo and posts announcements so students know they are part of something big.
“The kids really enjoy it. It’s fun, and even though sport stacking isn’t part of our curriculum, we find a way to fit it in,” Coach Killion said. “Once the world record is officially confirmed, we receive an update and the official certificate, which they always look forward to.”
Students may participate in any event day, and as long as they stack for 20 minutes, their participation counts toward the global total.
At Kimberlin, younger students take part in “cups and cardio,” a combination of simple stacking and movement activities. Older students practice more advanced stacking patterns and complete a “test out” to demonstrate the full stacking cycle. The excitement lasts well beyond the event, with a large poster in the gym helping students visualize the record and continuing conversations about the achievement.
At Hillside, Coach Omar Bass joined the world record attempt for the first time this year. He was drawn to the opportunity because it allowed students to “be part of something that big, worldwide.” Students quickly embraced sport stacking. Some were new to the activity, while others brought their own sets and had strong skills.
“It’s a great way to expose students to different activities,” Coach Bass said. “For many, this might be their first chance to try something new outside traditional sports.”
Hillside students combined stacking with fitness activities. If a stack fell, students completed push-ups or jumping jacks. Relay races and age-appropriate games, such as a “Hungry, Hungry Hippo”–style activity for kindergarteners, encouraged movement and teamwork. Older students rotated through stations focused on building, exercising, and practicing advanced stacking patterns.
Coach Bass shared videos showing how sport stacking skills transfer to other activities, such as basketball, and noted, “It’s not just stacking cups. Students are learning coordination, focus, and teamwork in a fun, active way.”
Participation at each campus was tracked carefully, ensuring each student was counted only once. Every student had a chance to contribute over the two days of the world record challenge, helping them be a part of a record-breaking effort that extended far beyond Texas.
Congratulations to all GISD elementary campuses that participated in the world-record-breaking challenge!
Hillside Academy for Excellence