One Week Left to Vote in the 2021 Cintas Custodian of the Year Contest

Rhea-AI Summary

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) is hosting the 2021 Custodian of the Year contest, concluding voting on April 16. The top 10 custodians from various schools are recognized for their dedication and impact. The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize, along with $5,000 in school products and services, and an educational package valued at $20,000. Each of the nine finalists will earn $1,000 and tuition for training. This initiative highlights the vital role custodians play in schools, promoting appreciation and support within the community.

Positive

• Recognition of custodians enhances community engagement.
• Attracts positive attention towards Cintas' commitment to education and cleanliness.

Negative

• None.

Voting for the 2021 Custodian of the Year contest hosted by Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) closes at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Friday, April 16. The nation’s top 10 finalists include a diverse group of committed school custodians. Vote for your favorite custodian at www.custodianoftheyear.com.

The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize along with $5,000 in products and services for his or her school from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products. The winner’s school will receive a comprehensive training and development package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $20,000. The school will also receive enrollment in the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course that teaches cleaning professionals to prepare for, respond to and recover from biohazards in the workplace from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA. The remaining nine finalists will each receive a cash prize of $1,000 and free tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) training event, valued at $1,500.

The top 10 finalists in the 2021 Custodian of the Year contest include:

1. Christopher Bowman – Bellflower Elementary School (Mentor, Ohio)
   Bellflower Elementary considers its custodian Mr. Bowman a true blessing. He approaches his cleaning and repair tasks with the utmost care. He’s always one step ahead with his solutions to problems and keeps detailed schedules and checklists for himself and team members to ensure the school is in excellent condition. The first one to arrive and always the last one to leave, Mr. Bowman is reliable, trustworthy and hardworking – representing all of the qualities of a true everyday hero.
    
2. Bobbi Sue Burbey – Wrightstown High School (Wrightstown, Wisc.)
   Bobbi Sue is more than just a custodian to the students at Wrightstown High School. To some, she’s a saving grace. She once saved a student by performing the Heimlich maneuver. Aside from being on top of the school’s cleanliness, Bobbi Sue assumes the duties of counselor, friend and mother to students and staff. She even temporarily opened her home to students in unfortunate living situations to ensure they had a safe space to return to once they left school. Whether she’s volunteering to hand out free lunches to accommodate students during the pandemic or baking delicious desserts for the staff, she always shows up with a smile.
    
3. Robert Buster – Westview Elementary School (Northglenn, Colo.)
   Mr. Buster is known as the heart and soul of the school who brings joy to everyone. He often dons various costumes, including Papa Smurf, Santa Claus, Zero the Hero, and the school Mascot, Westie, to bring smiles to students and staff. From shaving his head and beard when students reached their fundraising goal in support of Westview’s secretary’s ill husband to doing arts and crafts with students with emotional needs, Mr. Buster takes pride in providing for the school and community. When he’s not giving 110% to keep Westview clean and running smoothly, he’s hosting family movie nights, coordinating toy drives for Toys for Tots, showing movies to all grades during Friday lunches, decorating for each holiday and being a reliable and strong role model for Westview students.
    
4. Francesco (Franco) Catalano – F.E. Peacock Middle School (Itasca, Ill.)
   Referred to as the “face” of Peacock Middle School, Mr. Franco puts his whole heart into his job. He’s a conscientious and diligent custodian whose dedication and hard work makes him an invaluable asset to the Peacock family. Mr. Franco spends many hours during the winter plowing, shoveling and salting on weekends and evenings so students and staff can arrive to school safely. When he’s not keeping the school in impeccable shape, he’s going out of his way to encourage students to get to class on time, helping them find lost items and helping them reorganize their locker to avoid jams.
    
5. Donna Colello – Ocean Avenue Elementary School (Portland, Maine)
   As one of the most respected, hardworking custodians in Portland, Maine, Miss Donna works tirelessly every day and always brings a smile to all. What started as a job 25 years ago to support herself and newborn child, flourished into a fulfilling career. Meticulous in her level of higher cleaning techniques and standards, she takes great pride and care in the work she and her team accomplish. She is passionate about keeping the building healthy, secure and clean. Donna is an integral part of the Ocean Avenue Elementary community and is the one that staff and students rely on the most. Donna's mantra is "We're here for the children."
    
6. Charles Harris – Warren Technical School (Chamblee, Ga.)
   To Warren Technical School, Mr. Harris is a real-life Superman who does much more than keep the building clean. He is a selfless individual who genuinely loves performing his duties and responsibilities as a custodian. He also provides for students and families in need. When a student’s mother passed away and a repast wasn’t an option, Mr. Harris gathered volunteers from the school, and cooked and delivered food for the family. In addition to taking care of the catering needs for all school functions, he also started a food pantry where staff can donate canned goods, dry food and gift cards. Sometimes referred to as a father figure or uncle, Mr. Harris gets to know every student while maintaining a safe and clean learning environment for all.
    
7. Mike Heiry – North Allegheny Intermediate High School (Pittsburgh)
   Mr. Heiry is one of the friendliest and most dedicated people at North Allegheny Intermediate High School (NAI). Loved for his positive energy and kindness, Mr. Heiry consistently goes out of his way to provide students and staff with a safe and clean environment. There’s no waiting with Mr. Heiry. When a request is put in, he addresses it immediately with pride and a smile. Even when dealing with uncertainties and cleaning protocol changes amid the pandemic, he always makes time to ask the students and staff how they’re doing. No task is too big for Mr. Heiry and that’s what makes him such an essential part of NAI.
    
8. Edward Straub – Blue Ridge Middle School (Greer, S.C.)
   Mr. Eddi

FAQ

What is the purpose of the Custodian of the Year contest by Cintas?

The contest recognizes and rewards outstanding custodians for their dedication and contributions to their schools.

When does voting for the Custodian of the Year contest end?

Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 16, 2021.

What rewards do finalists receive in the Custodian of the Year contest?

The winner receives $10,000, $5,000 in school products and services, and a $20,000 training package, while nine finalists get $1,000 and tuition for training.

Who are the finalists in the 2021 Custodian of the Year contest?

The finalists include dedicated custodians from schools such as Bellflower Elementary, North Allegheny Intermediate High School, and others.

How does Cintas support education through this contest?

Cintas promotes appreciation for custodians and provides financial support and training for schools, enhancing educational environments.