Birmingham Janitor Sweeps the Competition for 2016 Janitor of the Year Award

  • 05/02/16

Birmingham, Ala. – There’s a new custodial crown in town! After a record 488,000 votes from across the nation, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today named Jerome Lewis of Crestline Elementary in Birmingham, Ala. the 2016 Janitor of the Year. Jerome captured nearly 30 percent of the votes and will receive a $5,000 cash prize. His school will also receive $5,000 in products and services from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products.

Described by one student as “a breath of fresh air even when the day stinks,” Jerome has been cleaning Crestline for the past eight years, always with a smile on his face. In Feb. 2013, Jerome was diagnosed with terminal appendiceal cancer, but he has never allowed it to slow him down at work or dampen his spirits.

“Jerome is so deserving of this award, and we’re ecstatic that our community rallied around him to recognize his work ethic and the positive impact that he has on our students and faculty, as well as the appearance of our school,” said Laurie King, principal, Crestline Elementary.

While Jerome will receive the grand prize, the nine contest runners up will each be awarded a $500 cash prize from Cintas as well as cleaning tools and products from Rubbermaid Commercial Products to beautify their schools.

“Many school janitors work long hours and often go beyond their cleaning responsibilities, taking care of maintenance and security tasks and acting as friends and mentors to students and staff,” said John Engel, Senior Marketing Manager, Cintas. “It’s inspiring to see the votes pour in for these dedicated individuals who are often the first to arrive at school and the last to leave.”

“This year, we received an abundance of heartwarming stories about janitors from current and former students, staff and parents,” said Neil Eibeler, President, Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “We’re thrilled to celebrate Jerome’s win, as well as the everyday contributions of the other nine finalists.”

The top 10 finalists were chosen based on the number and quality of nominations by a panel of judges from Cintas Corporation, Rubbermaid Commercial Products and U.S. Communities.

For more information about the Janitor of the Year contest, visit www.cintas.com/JOTY.

Featured

  • North Dakota State University Completes Music School Renovation

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction on the Challey School of Music has finished, according to a news release. The university partnered with Foss Architecture & Interiors for design and Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and construction began in July 2024.

  • StarRez Releases 2025 State of Student Housing Report

    Student housing software solutions provider StarRez recently released its second State of the Student Housing Industry Report, according to a news release. The report is based on the results of survey data from more than 400 higher education institutions around the world, both StarRez clients and not.

  • Uvalde Schools Receive AI Security Technology through Grant Program

    AI-powered gun detection and emergency response technology solutions provider Omnilert recently launched the Save Haven Grant program, according to a news release. The first recipient of the grant, aimed specifically at schools that have faced gun violence, will be the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (Uvalde CISD) in Uvalde, Texas.

  • Missouri State University Debuts Construction Education Center

    Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., recently opened a new 10,000-square-foot addition and renovation to support the School of Construction, Design, and Project Management, according to university news. The Construction Education Success Center, built onto the existing Kemper Hall, provides academic space for the school’s construction managers and cost $9.6 million.