Janitor of the Year Award Winner Named

After a record breaking 898,220 votes in this nationwide contest, Cintas Corporation crowned Ted Qualli Jr. of Newtown Elementary in Philadelphia, the 2017 Janitor of the Year, according to an article on the Cintas website.

Qualli won 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, the article said.

"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 at Cintas. "This contest is a way of shining a much needed spotlight on these hardworking heroes and giving them the recognition they deserve."

Read the full article here.