Cintas Opens Nominations for the 12th Annual Nationwide Custodian of the Year Contest

Cintas Corp. launched its 12^th annual Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, which honors exceptional school custodians. From now through Feb. 7, the public can submit their custodian nominations at custodianoftheyear.com.

“Beyond cleaning and maintenance, school custodians often make our schools and universities feel like home,” said Emily Ramos, Cintas director of marketing. “For more than a decade, we’ve been inspired by countless incredible stories of custodians going above and beyond, and we’re thrilled to continue honoring them as we celebrate the 12^th year of this contest.”

Cintas will award US$10,000 to the winning custodian and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services to the winner’s school. The winner’s school also will receive a complete facility assessment and Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Advanced certification from  the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, valued at $20,000. The other nine finalists will receive $1,000 each from Cintas, a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid, and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event valued at $1,500. The top three finalists will also receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to ISSA Show North America 2025 in Las Vegas in November, where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments. 

“Creating healthy and inspiring learning environments wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of custodians,” said John Barrett, ISSA Executive Director. “ISSA is honored to partner with Cintas to recognize and celebrate the dedication, hard work, and essential contributions of custodians across the U.S.”

Last year, Cintas awarded Bob Galewski of Wabasha-Kellogg High School in Wabasha, Minnesota, the 2024 Cintas Custodian of the Year.

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 deserves the award and must be submitted by Feb. 7. Cintas will announce the top ten finalists on March 4. The public will then be able to vote for their favorite custodian through April 11, and the finalist with the most votes will be crowned Custodian of the Year in the spring. 

“We’re proud to partner with Cintas to honor the custodians who go above and beyond daily,” said Robert Posthauer, Rubbermaid Commercial Products senior vice president and general manager. “Custodians are true heroes, and we are committed to showing our gratitude and appreciation for all they do.”