Macomb County middle school wins ‘Shut Out Bullying’ contest
Detroit-area Planet Fitness® franchisees, EPIC Fitness Group and Impact Fitness Group, in partnership with the Detroit Red Wings are proud to announce L’Anse Creuse Middle School-North as the winner of the third annual “Shut Out Bullying” contest.
The Macomb County middle school, serving students in grades 6-8, was awarded $10,000 to support and expand its bullying prevention efforts.
The award was presented during a special ceremony in Heritage Hall at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, Jan. 18, prior to the Detroit Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators game at Little Caesars Arena.
Representatives from L’Anse Creuse Middle School-North joined leaders from Planet Fitness and the Detroit Red Wings for the presentation and remained as guests of the Red Wings for the game.
Why L’Anse Creuse Middle School-North?
L’Anse Creuse Middle School–North was selected for its thoughtful, student-centered approach to addressing bullying and social-emotional wellbeing. While the school has long maintained anti-bullying procedures, including participation in Michigan’s OK2SAY anonymous reporting program, administrators identified a growing need to move beyond crisis response and invest in proactive, school-wide prevention.
With the $10,000 award, L’Anse Creuse Middle School–North plans to strengthen its anti-bullying strategy by expanding staff training, implementing evidence-based curriculum, supporting restorative practices, and increasing community engagement initiatives.
The funding will also help enhance existing efforts such as The Positivity Project, which encourages weekly character education discussions, and a newly launched student-focused counseling podcast, designed to reinforce kindness, empathy, and reporting resources.
“These funds will allow us to be more proactive instead of reactive,” said Andrea Glynn, principal at L’Anse Creuse Middle School-North. “Our students are surrounded by caring adults who want the best for them, and this support will help us build a culture where kindness is modeled, taught, and reinforced every day.”
Planet Fitness: ‘Proud to recognize schools’
“Local Planet Fitness franchise groups are incredibly proud to recognize L’Anse Creuse Middle School-North and the meaningful work they are doing,” stated Mary Scott, Vice President of Marketing at EPIC Fitness Group, a Planet Fitness franchise division operating 69 locations across Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.
“At Planet Fitness, our Judgement Free Zone® philosophy is about creating environments where everyone feels safe, accepted, and supported – and this school is doing exactly that for its students.”
The “Shut Out Bullying” contest invited Michigan based schools and youth organizations serving grades K-12 to apply for funding by sharing their current and proposed bullying prevention initiatives. Past winners include Fraser Public Schools (2024) and Endeavor Charter Academy (2025).
Planet Fitness has a long history of promoting kindness and inclusivity and routinely brings its Judgement Free Zone® philosophy beyond the gym into local communities.
In partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Planet Fitness advances youth wellbeing and empowers the next generation to create kinder communities through its signature philanthropic initiative, the Judgement Free Generation™.
