Add as a preferred source on Google

Top 10 Finalists in Nationwide Janitor of the Year Contest Announced

  • 03/15/17

Cincinnati, Ohio — An elementary school janitor helps students study for their spelling tests by quizzing them on their weekly words. Another janitor hands out pencils bought with his own money on the first day of every month. These are only two of the 10 amazing individuals for whom the public can cast their ballot in Cintas Corporation’s (NASDAQ: CTAS) 2017 Janitor of the Year Contest.

The polls are open! Vote for your favorite in the 2017 Janitor of the Year contest at www.cintas.com/JOTY

The Janitor of the Year contest aims to shine a spotlight on those who work behind the scenes year-round to make schools a clean, safe and positive place. Voting will be open through April 14 at www.cintas.com/JOTY.

“With over 1,200 nominations, it was more difficult than ever to determine our top ten finalists,” said Jillian Bauer, Assistant Marketing Manager, Cintas. “These janitors are the hearts and souls of their schools. From saving the school play to teaching children new languages, each one exudes positivity and acts as a role model. Now it’s up to the schools and communities to rally behind their custodians.”

The 2017 Janitor of the Year will receive a $5,000 cash prize along with $5,000 in products and services for his or her school from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products – not to mention bragging rights. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to each of the remaining nine finalists.

The top 10 finalists in the 2017 Janitor of the Year contest include:

  1. Wendy Boyden – Essex Elementary School (Baltimore)
  2. John Dawson – Pepin Academies (Tampa, Fla.)
  3. Michael Eldridge – Deer Crossing Elementary School (New Market, Md.)
  4. George Hoffman – Seymour Middle School (Seymour, Ind.)
  5. Sauveur Jean – Woodmere Elementary School (Eatontown, N.J.)
  6. Loy Lopez – Rio Rancho Middle School (Rio Rancho, N.M.)
  7. Cecil Lovett – North Calloway Elementary School (Murray, Ky.)
  8. Fred Nieves – Saint Bridget School (Framingham, Mass.)
  9. Ted Qualli Jr. – Newtown Elementary School (Newtown, Penn.)
  10. Andy Wegner – Big Bend Elementary School (Big Bend, Wisc.)

Featured

  • Elevating Campus Maintenance: How Power Wash Drones are Transforming Educational Facilities

    As today’s campuses grow larger and more architecturally complex, keeping exteriors clean, safe, and inviting has never been tougher. Facilities leaders are under constant pressure to stretch budgets, meet safety standards, and support sustainability goals—all while tackling the stubborn challenge of exterior cleaning.

  • UNT Dallas Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for $100M STEM Building

    The University of North Texas at Dallas in Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated the opening of its new, $100-million STEM Building, according to local news. The ceremony on Dec. 2 preceded the first day of classes in the facility on Jan. 12, 2026.

  • Pittsburgh High School Upgrades Athletics Facilities’ Technology

    Plum Senior High School in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently partnered with South-Dakota-based Daktronics through the We’re All Mustangs Here Foundation to upgrade the technology in its athletics facilities, according to a news release. Daktronics designed, built, and installed new LED video displays and finished the project in time for the beginning of the 2025 high-school football season.

  • Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

    Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.

Digital Edition