A warm spirit and fashion design skills earned a Cardinal Foley Catholic School custodian a national nomination for Custodian of the Year, writes Natasha Brown for CBS Philly.

Howard Edwards, affectionately known by students and staff as Mr. Howard, begins the day with a high five and a smile for every student at the Havertown school.

“He’s just so energetic and so happy all the time, and it makes us so happy to see him,” eighth-grader Ryan Holmes said.

Hundreds of students and parents nominated him, and now he’s one of 10 finalists for the Cintas-sponsored award. The winner and school each get $5,000. Howard is the only Pennsylvania contestant.

“I feel great,” he said. “It was shocking to me.”

The custodian is also a fashion designer who teaches fashion design and carpentry to middle school students.

Art teacher Holly Tenaglia wrote a testimonial about why he deserves the award.

“Every spring, he has a boys’ day, and he brings in Rita’s Italian Ice for all of the boys in the school,” she said. “And he has one for the girls, as well. On Valentine’s Day, he’ll bring in chocolates.”

Read more about Mr. Howard at CBS Philly by clicking here.

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