The polls have closed and nearly 100,000 votes have been tabulated. Cintas Corporation announced that Sherry Albright of Trine University in Angola, Ind., is the winner of its 2015 Janitor of the Year Contest. Sherry will receive a $2,500 cash prize and Trine University will receive $2,500 in Cintas cleaning products and services.

A housekeeper in the residence halls at Trine University, Sherry is no stranger to challenges – particularly those posed by cleaning up after college students. With a wheelchair bound husband who suffers from advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Sherry also works a second job as a waitress to help support her family.

“Sherry shows that no matter the trials and tribulations, you can always put on a smile, take pride in your work and make a positive difference in the lives of those around you,” said housekeeping/training manager Leah Helmick in her nomination. “She’s an inspiration to us all.”

Treating Trine students as though they were her own children, Sherry regularly talks with students, listens to their problems, offers hugs and is often called upon for her sewing skills. Always exuding positivity, Sherry takes great pride in keeping the university dormitories and halls clean. Sherry will be presented with the award following a special parade and ceremony held in her honor today, May 6, at 11:45 a.m. CDT on the Trine University campus.

While Sherry will receive the grand prize, the nine runners up for the award will also receive prize packages for themselves and their schools. Cintas is presenting each finalist with a $500 cash prize and Rubbermaid Commercial Products is donating more than $1,000 in cleaning tools for finalists to use at their schools.

“The response to this contest shows what an important role janitors play in our schools,” said Dave Mesko, Senior Director of Marketing and Strategy, Cintas. “Janitors are often the unsung heroes of our communities. We are honored to host a contest that brings these amazing individuals some much deserved recognition.”

“We would like to thank Rubbermaid, U.S. Communities, the hundreds of nominees and all of the voters that have helped make this competition a success,” added Mesko. “We look forward to hearing the stories and celebrating the amazing work janitors do across the nation as we continue this contest in the future.”