Beloved Scotts Valley Custodian Wins Hearts In National Contest

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA — Aristeo Flores is the most cherished school custodian in the nation. On Wednesday morning, the 73-year-old Scotts Valley Middle School worker was named "Custodian of the Year" in front of hundreds of admiring students chanting his name, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. More than 500 custodians from schools across the nation were nominated for the 2019 Custodian of the Year contest put on by Cintas, and Flores was named the winner. He was presented with a $5,000 check from Cintas, and the school received a separate check in the same amount from the company.

“We pulled together on his behalf because we love him, but not only do we love him but he keeps us going,” Scotts Valley Middle School principal Mary Lonhart was quoted as saying. “He’s 1,000 percent reliable, here every single day rain or shine, always with a kind smile.”

Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Flores has worked at Scotts Valley Middle School for 17 years, according to the press report. Lonhart said Flores earned more than 86,000 online votes in the Custodian of the Year contest—seven times as many votes as there are Scotts Valley residents.

To read the full report from the Santa Cruz Sentinel, click here.