CINCINNATI – [May 15, 2019] – And the winner of the 2019 Custodian of the Year contest is… Aristeo Flores! With over 278,600 votes, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today crowned Aristeo Flores of Scotts Valley (Calif.) Middle School the 2019 Custodian of the Year. Aristeo will receive a $5,000 cash prize and his school will also receive $5,000 in products and services from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
“The Custodian of the Year contest celebrates the many ways custodians make a difference in our schools,” said Jillian Bauer, Cintas Marketing Manager. “It’s clear from Aristeo’s win and the support that he’s received from day-one of this contest, that he is not only loved by his school, but by the community as well.”
Known for his warm, kind smile, Aristeo is an integral part of the Scotts Valley Middle School community. His gentle demeanor, sense of humor and hard work has left a positive impact on students past and present for the last 17 years. So when the opportunity came for his town of 12,000 to show him just how much he means to them, they swept the national contest and won with more than 30 percent of the vote.
During a surprise award presentation ceremony at the school, Aristeo was met with 530 overjoyed students who thought they were attending a pep rally. Complete with T-shirt cannons, giant balloons, a staff dance and an ice cream truck with treats for the whole school, it was clear why the 73-year-old isn’t ready to retire – his love of the students.
In an emotional speech from his son Miguel, Aristeo was described as someone who’s been an underdog his whole life. “My dad is an immigrant from Mexico who came here for the American Dream. Now I know why at 73-years-old he never talks about retiring. I get it – this is why he doesn’t retire. You guys are the reason he doesn’t retire.”
“Aristeo represents the best-of-the-best with his attitude, spirit and commitment to maintaining a healthy school for each and every student,” said Michael Halak, President, Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “We’re honored to recognize him today for his achievements and hope to bring a smile to his face like he’s done for so many others throughout the last 17 years.”
Nine contest runners-up will be awarded a $500 cash prize. They will also receive a $1,300 prize package from Rubbermaid consisting of cleaning tools and products.
For more information about the Custodian of the Year contest, visit www.cintas.com/BestCustodian.
EDITORS NOTE: To access B-Roll footage from today’s award presentation at Sands Montessori, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/2e8a7k3522bos0n/COTY%202019_B-Roll_051519.mp4?dl=0. For photos, contact [email protected].
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get READY™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., is a manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of food services, sanitary maintenance, waste handling, material transport, away-from-home washroom and safety products. RCP, an ISO 9001:2000 manufacturer, is part of Newell Rubbermaid’s global portfolio of leading brands and continues to develop innovative products. Visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.