Ballot box with person casting vote on blank voting slip

There’s only one week left to cast your vote in Cintas Corporation’s 2018 Janitor of the Year contest. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, April 20.

The winner of the 2018 Cintas Janitor of the Year contest will receive a $5,000 cash prize along with $5,000 in products and services for his or her school from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products – not to mention bragging rights.

The top 10 finalists in the 2018 Janitor of the Year contest include:

Lazaro Calderon – St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School (Miami)
Lazaro Calderon, otherwise affectionately known as “Abuelo Lazaro,” is more than a janitor – he’s family. Not a day goes by without Lazaro asking how the teachers and students are doing, and if there’s anything he can do to make their day better. Over the years, Lazaro’s upbeat personality and inspirational bits of advice has taught hundreds of children how to enjoy life and live it to the fullest.
 
Bob Cook – Sands Montessori (Cincinnati)
Mr. Bob is always around to give fist bumps to students, fill flat tires for parents, keep the school’s vegetable garden flourishing and participate in any and every school event. Mr. Bob is also known for his kind, gentle and caring spirit as he keeps Sands Montessori a clean, tidy and safe learning environment for all.
 
Rita Corona – University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago)
At the University of Illinois at Chicago, Rita Corona is known as a fairy godmother, watching over the enormous campus made up of thousands of students, faculty members and visitors. With Rita’s magical touch, no muddy footprints, pipe leak or mess goes ignored. Thanks to Rita, the bustling university located at the heart of the Windy City becomes a cleaner, safer place every day.
 
Jeff Crecelius – Francisco Elementary School (Francisco, Ind.)
From brewing hot coffee in the mornings and handing out homemade lunches for faculty in the afternoon, to decorating the school halls and classrooms for the holidays and helping students learn how to tie their shoes, Jeff Crecelius truly does it all. To students and staff, Jeff is an irreplaceable member of the Francisco Elementary family.
 
Frank Hernandez – Kalmiopsis Elementary School (Brookings, Ore.)
Most Kalmiopsis students start their school day off with a smile and a wave from Mr. Frank, proudly sporting his yellow crossing guard vest, as he makes sure each child and their school projects make it inside safely. Upon entering the school, students are greeted with brightly colored columns that look like crayons, painted by Mr. Frank himself.
 
Rudy Hernandez – Tozer Elementary School (Windsor, Colo.)
For many students, Mr. Rudy is a role model. By watching him work, students learn the importance of trying their best, persevering even when the task at hand seems impossible and never being too busy to offer a kind gesture. When a struggling student needs help, Mr. Rudy doesn’t hesitate, whether it means having to sit down and read a book with a student or zip up several puffy coats on the way to recess.
 
Flora Lara – W.T. Henning Elementary School (Sulphur, La.)
W.T. Henning Elementary School is an English Language Learners School, and even though it is not listed in her job description as the school’s janitor, Mrs. Lara happily serves as an English-Spanish translator when needed. Whether there’s a massive mess in the bathroom, or another garden snake spotted in a classroom, Mrs. Lara ensures every student and teacher feels welcome, and has a squeaky clean classroom to not only learn in, but thrive in.
 
Kris Pomp – East Dale Elementary School (Fairmont, W.Va.)
With a heroic heart and a friendly smile, Mr. Pomp isn’t just a superhero; he’s a true everyday hero. Using his superpowers to outwit villainous challenges, he conquers clogged toilets with ease and rescues students and staff from slippery, snowy sidewalks. Every week, Mr. Pomp puts on his charitable cape and assists with the East Dale’s Honey Bag distribution – a local backpack program that provides meals to children who would otherwise not have access to food during the weekends or breaks.
 
Dennis “Doc” Stadler – Lake Country (elementary) School (Hartland, Wis.)
From searching far and wide for missing mittens to diving deep into dumpsters to retrieve a lost retainer, “Doc” Stadler isn’t just a janitor; he’s the backbone of the school. For 34 years, Doc has gone above and beyond his daily cleaning duties by building friendships and counseling elementary children through anxiety, bullying, peer pressure and more. When a student required daily insulin, Doc stepped up and took a Red Cross class, becoming the student’s mentor in diabetes management and helping with daily injections.
 
Mark Zaidel – Harris Hill Elementary School (Williamsville, N.Y.)
From dressing up as Santa Claus during the school’s annual holiday concert to wearing a funny cowboy hat while mowing the grass, Mr. Z always knows how to put a smile on a student’s face. And when a child loses a tooth at school, and evidently misplaces it, Mr. Z puts on his Tooth Fairy hat and comes to the rescue with a pouch of cool shark teeth he keeps on hand for this very occasion, allowing kids to keep one to put under their pillow.

To vote, visit www.cintas.com/JOTY.