Top 10 Finalists in Nationwide Janitor of the Year Contest Announced

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

  • Embry-Riddle Completes Construction on Research, Lab Facility

    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Fla., recently announced the end of construction on a new research and lab facility on campus. The Center for Aerospace Engineering II (CAT II) will support aerospace research and technology development and broke ground last summer.

  • Dallas ISD Voters Approve $6.2B Bond Package

    Dallas ISD voters have approved a record-setting $6.2-billion bond package that district leaders say will modernize aging campuses, eliminate portable classrooms and reshape learning environments across one of the nation’s largest school systems.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • Rethinking K-12 Schools as a Continuous Learning Experience

    Most students move through three or more separate facilities during their K-12 journey, yet the built environments they encounter at each stage have traditionally been designed in isolation, with little continuity in spatial language, learning philosophy, or physical resources. Each new school is a reset with different layouts, learning models, expectations, and ways of moving through a building. The next generation of school design is making the case that the first day of kindergarten and the last day of high school can and should feel connected through common support systems and infrastructure in the physical environment.