Do You Have A Favorite School Custodian?

Now through February 17, you can nominate a hardworking school custodian for Cintas' 10th annual Custodian of the Year contest.

School custodians have never been more important than they’ve been over the past few years. In recognition of their hard work and dedication, Cintas Corporation has  launched its 10th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, which honors standout school custodians. You can submit nominations at custodianoftheyear.com through February 17.

“Custodians take on a lot of responsibility to help provide a clean and healthy space for students, faculty, and staff,” said Christiny Betsch, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “For the last nine years we’ve heard tremendous stories of custodians going above and beyond and look forward to continue honoring custodians in this tenth year of the contest.”

Cintas will award $10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. On top of that, the winner’s school will receive a facility assessment and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (valued at $30,000) and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course. The nine finalists who round out the Top 10 will receive $1,000 each on behalf of Cintas, a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid, and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event (valued at $1,500).

Custodian of the Year 2022New this year, the top three finalists will also receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments.

“Despite long hours, custodians continue to show up for their students, faculty and others in their communities,” said John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA. “ISSA has been in awe of their commitment, and we’re proud to work with Cintas to celebrate the best custodians across the U.S.”

Meet The 2022 Custodian Of The Year

Custodian of the Year
Lydell Henderson

Last year, Cintas named Lydell Henderson of Presidential Park Elementary School in Middletown, NY its 2022 Custodian of the Year. To celebrate Henderson, over 1,500 students and staff, in addition to his family, honored him with a surprise ceremony, complete with countless handmade signs from students and endless cheering and high-fives.

According to staff at Presidential Park Elementary School, Lydell is not only a hard worker who has made coming back to school in person possible by reconfiguring cleaning protocols and procedures, but he is an extraordinary human. One day while he was cleaning the cafeteria, a student began choking, and Lydell immediately jumped into action. He performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the student and saved their life, which the school is forever grateful for. While he has been at his current school for nine years, he is well-known for his unmatched professionalism the last 34 years in the school district.

Custodian of the Year 2022
Henderson received a cash prize of $10,000 and $5,000 in Rubbermaid Commercial Products and Cintas products for his school. (Photo: ISSA)

The Cintas Custodian of the Year contest is open to all elementary, middle, high school, college and university custodians who have worked at their school for at least two years. Nominations must be 500 words or less on why the nominee is deserving of the award and submitted by February 17. Cintas will announce the top 10 finalists on March 14. The public can vote for their favorite custodian through April 14, and the finalist with the most votes will be crowned Custodian of the Year at the end of April.

“Custodians are the ones behind the scenes who ensure school facilities are welcoming learning environments,” said Robert Posthauer, Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “Without them, schools, universities and colleges wouldn’t be able to function properly. We’re delighted to again partner with Cintas as they celebrate the 10th Custodian of the Year awards to cherish school custodians.”

Click here to read more about Cintas, including past Custodian of the Year contest winners.