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FALL RIVER, MA. – Planet Fitness today announced it has awarded a Fall River high school student its annual Judgement Free Generation® scholarship, which awards teens for their continuous support of promoting inclusion, acceptance and kindness in their communities. Fifty Boys & Girls Clubs high school seniors across the U.S. were awarded $5,000 each toward furthering their education and will join the “JFG Squad,” Planet Fitness’ network of scholarship winners. Half of this year’s Judgement Free Generation® scholarship winners (50 percent) represent first-generation college students.
Jenna B. (last name was withheld) is making an impact in the local community and contributing to a more Judgement Free™ tomorrow:
“To me, being judgement free is the act of communicating authentically with others in order to learn to appreciate the beauty of individuality,” says Jenna B.
Planet Fitness has awarded more than $1.65 million in scholarships to 330 teens across the country since 2017, contributing $250,000 this year alone. While most traditional scholarships award athletic or academic achievement, the Judgement Free Generation® scholarship program was created to recognize youth who exemplify values of kindness and acceptance and actively promote those principles in their communities. The scholarship recipients were selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants using a multi-tiered review process based on several criteria including a personal essay, staff recommendations and a video submission. The submissions were evaluated by how the participant actively promotes kindness and inclusion by demonstrating Judgement Free™ values.
“Planet Fitness is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging,” said Bruce Edwards, CEO of Core Development and Management, an independent Planet Fitness franchisee. “Our ongoing partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of the many ways we support the next generation, and we’re proud to stand behind these inspiring young people as they grow, learn, and continue making a meaningful impact in the world.”
“We’re proud to team up with Planet Fitness to celebrate the accomplishment and hard work of incredible young people from our Fall River community who are leading with kindness and making a real difference every day,” said Thomas Chew Memorial Boys & Girls Club Senior Program Director, Monica Tavares. “By supporting these youth, we’re helping make college more accessible and building a stronger, more caring community – and inspiring more kids here in Fall River to step up and lead with compassion.”
Since partnering in 2016, Planet Fitness—alongside its franchisees, members, and partners—has contributed over $10.5 million to advance youth wellbeing and empower the next generation to create kinder communities through its Judgement Free Generation® initiative. As part of this effort, the Company has funded innovative social-emotional skill-building programs for Boys & Girls Clubs of America professionals. Rooted in a trauma-informed approach, these programs acknowledge the lasting impact of trauma on youth and provide meaningful pathways for healing, personal growth, and development. Planet Fitness has also established mini–Judgement Free Zones® in select Boys & Girls Clubs and participated in volunteering activities across the country.
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