Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Philadelphia Janitor Mops Up the 2017 Janitor of the Year Award

  • 05/02/17

Philadelphia — (Business Wire) — Make way for the newest custodial celebrity! After a record breaking 898,220 votes in this nationwide contest, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) today crowned Ted Qualli Jr. of Newtown Elementary in Philadelphia, the 2017 Janitor of the Year. Ted captured more than 40 percent of the vote 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.

Ted does everything from the heart, whether he’s teaching students about his service to the country on Veteran’s Day or handing out vegetable seedlings grown in his home garden to every student each spring. It’s clear Ted is a friend and an inspiration in addition to being an excellent janitor. In fact, students spontaneously break into chant, yelling “Qual-li! Qual-li!” any time Ted appears in a hallway or classroom.

“Ted is the glue that holds this school together and a role model to the entire community,” said Kevin King, Principal of Newtown Elementary. “Whether we have a student who’s concerned about monsters in the restrooms, kick balls stuck on the roof or a staff member with a flat tire, Ted is always there to help out.”

Nine contest runners up will also be awarded a $500 cash prize. They will also receive a $1,300 prize package from Rubbermaid consisting of cleaning tools and products to keep their schools in top shape.

“School janitors are the epitome of an everyday hero, going far beyond their requirements to provide students and staff with a clean and safe learning environment,” said Jillian Bauer, Assistant Marketing Manager, Cintas. “This contest is a way of shining a much needed spotlight on these hardworking heroes and giving them the recognition they deserve.”

“With nearly one million votes, this year’s outpouring of support shows the work of a janitor extends far beyond mopping and sweeping; reaching students, faculty and entire communities,” said Michael Halak, President, Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “We’re excited to award Ted and the nine finalists with this outstanding achievement and look forward to honoring many more janitors as this contest grows.”

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

Featured

  • Minnesota Middle School Finishes $23.5M Addition and Modernization

    Highland Park Middle School in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $23.5-million addition and remodel project, according to a news release. Saint Paul Public Schools partnered with ATS&R Planners, Architects & Engineers for its design and Kraus-Anderson for its construction.

  • New Arizona Fine Arts School Reaches Construction Milestone

    Construction of the new Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater in Litchfield Park, Ariz., recently hit a significant milestone, according to a news release. The Agua Fria High School District held a beam-signing ceremony to celebrate the building’s topping out, or the placement of its last structural beam.

  • Hawaii Elementary School Breaks Ground on New Classroom Building

    Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua, Hawaii, recently began construction on a new, $16-million classroom building for its campus, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot building will stand two stories and connect the existing upper and lower campuses.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.