JACKSON – Doreen Merritt, a custodian at Elms Elementary School, is a finalist in the national 2023 Custodian of the Year contest sponsored by Cintas Corporation.
This contest recognizes custodians for all they do to help provide students with a clean and safe environment. The winner will receive $10,000 cash, $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and training valued up to $30,000 from ISSA. New this year, the Top 3 finalists will also win an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas.
“Anyone who knows Ms. Doreen knows that she is humble, generous, helpful, hard-working and kind,” said Julie Nyman, co-president of the Elms Parent Teacher Network.
Nyman added, “our school is immaculate at all times, and she puts so much love and care into its upkeep. We would absolutely love for her to receive this award, so we are reaching out far and wide in our area to ask everyone to spread the word to vote for her.”
Voting opened on March 14 and will close on April 14. “You can vote once a day. Doreen is special to all of us at Elms, and we would love nothing more than for the entire nation to know that we truly have the best of the best custodian at our school.” The link to vote is custodianoftheyear.com/custodian-of-the-year/
“Merritt leads by example, setting clear expectations and doing the work she asks of her team. She’s developed meaningful relationships with staff, students, and families alike. She’s responsive to others’ needs, including being quick to help the school’s large special needs program – from diapering needs, cleaning up toilet accidents, all while approaching those tasks with a sensitive and understanding manner,” Nyman said.
Nyman said, “Ms. Doreen works closely with the school’s Green Team advisors, playing an integral part of the school’s recycling program and helping facilitate the school’s food share program. She is meticulous about cleaning and has organized space within the school to help students and staff thrive.”
“Give Jackson residents a reason to celebrate their local hero and help Doreen be crowned as this year’s top custodian in the U.S. The finalist with the most public votes will receive the grand prize, valued at over $45,000,” she added.
Cintas Marketing Manager Christiny Betsch said it was a difficult field to narrow down to the top 10 finalists.
“From dressing up like Spider-Man during recess to advocating for a mosquito sprayer to protect children from bites, these custodians are truly top-notch. As always, it’s difficult to select the top 10, but this year’s finalists stood out for their commitment, kindness and determination,” Betsch added.
The winner’s school will also receive a facility assessment and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000 and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course.
The other nine finalists will receive $1,000 each and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500. The finalists’ schools will also receive a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid Commercial Products. New this year, the Top 3 finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments.
“We’re truly inspired by each of the finalists who do much more than clean schools,” ISSA Executive Director John Barrett said. “School custodians are beacons of light in their communities and students look up to them as positive role models who lead by example.”
“We’re proud to honor these incredible custodians for their hard work, talent and dedication, and we wish them all good luck in the contest,” Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Sales, Rubbermaid Commercial Products Robert Posthauer, Sr..
