Members of the Pantry Pals lay food out in boxes for clients at Baden Street Settlement in Rochester, N.Y., on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The Pantry Pals are a religious based food distribution organization.Jerron Mac shows his nephew how to properly use a firearm at the Firing Pin in Bergen N.Y., on Saturday, March 21, 2026. “When you find that gun in the home you know what not to do, it’s preventative”.Members of the Rochester Institute of Technology Women’s Hockey team celebrates their win against Post University at the Gene Polisseni Center in Henrietta, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.Waunakee’s Tessa Bryan, right, lifts up Audrey Meudt in celebration after scoring her 1000th career point at Warrior Fieldhouse, located in Waunakee High School during a match against Vel Phillips Memorial High School in Waunakee, Wis., Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025.RIT’s Anthony Aparicio, left, and Yannis Pavlides, right, tackle Albany’s Mason Geisler during a match between the Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Albany at Aardvark Park Rugby Pitch in Henrietta, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.Wisconsin’s Luke Condon throws Utah Valley University’s Trevor Frank against the mat during the 174 bout at the UW Field House in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.RIT’s, Zoe Joss, right, celebrates with her teammate during the Don Richard Invitational hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology at the Judson/Hale Aquatic Center in Henrietta, N.Y., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.RIT’s Yu Tanimoto plays a backhand return against St. John Fisher’s Tyler Hernandez at on RIT Tennis Courts in Henrietta, N.Y., on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.
DiPetta
Caitlin DiPetta is a teacher, educator, and Special Olympics coach at BOCES in Elmira N.Y., she spends time outside of her normal schedule refining her team’s skills to compete at the highest level. DiPetta’s family is extremely involved in the Special Olympics community her daughter Grace DiPetta is a coach in training for the team, and her husband and son come to every game team has “It’s nothing for me to go on a weekend trip in the winter, but for these kids its an experience they won’t forget”, said DiPetta.
From top left, Bentley Hartman, Austin Manning, bottom left, Grace DiPetta, head coach Caitlin DiPetta, Faith Bound , video call their school teacher during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. Coach DiPetta teaches at BOCES in Elmira N.Y. and takes a group of floorball athletes to Special Olympics every year. “This is my favorite weekend of the year, and it’s so much more fun for the kids”, said Caitlin DiPetta.Coach Caitlin DiPetta, center, hangs up a sign on the hotel room door while Lucas Malanoski, left, and Jonathan VanZole, right, look on before the opening ceremonies at the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 20, 2026. Coach DiPetta’s daughter Grace created signs for each athletes to put on their door.Members of the Phoenix Fury floorball team hang out in the pool before the opening ceremonies at the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 20, 2026. “Special Olympics is much more than just the sports competition, for some of these kids it’s their first time away from their parents”, said Caitlin DiPetta.Caitlin DiPetta, center, lays out the plan for the evening ceremonies to Bentlyn Hartman, left, Johnathan VanZole, bottom right, and Devlyn Kihm, top right, at the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 20, 2026. “Let’s have the best weekend ever”, said Caitlin DiPetta.Grace DiPetta, left, leans onto Coach Caitlin DiPetta during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. Coach DiPetta has brought her daughter Grace to the Special Olympics for five years as a coach in training. “They might talk different than you, or you might need tp asl them to repeat themselves, but there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing to be afraid of when it comes to those friendships’, said Grace DiPetta.Family members and athletes of the Phoenix Fury tape a poster to the wall during floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. A large group of family members showed up to support the team. “You have to show them support as much as any other athlete, they deserve it”, said Cindy Manning, Austin’s mother.Members of the Phoenix Fury stretch before the match during floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. Through floorball athletes work together to support themselves and others. “I didn’t like floorball that much, but now I like it, I like spending time with the team and laughing with them”, said athlete Angel Baldeck.Coach DiPetta speaks to her team during a floorball match at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. Head Coach DiPetta has dual roles as a coach and teacher but within both roles she connects with the students. “She’s in her comfort zone in this sport, working with these kids”, said Coach Jamie Madison about DiPetta.Head Coach Caitlin DiPetta, left, and Coach Jamie Madison shout and cheer for their team after scoring during a match at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. The Phoenix Fury won gold in their floorball division. “Hard work pays off”, said DiPettaThe Phoenix Fury huddle up before their gold medal match during floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. The Phoenix Fury practice everyday at school, spending hours together within the week. “At a regular high school these kids don’t get support, with Phoenix they support each other no matter what” said Coach DiPetta.Coach DiPetta stands with her gold medal around her neck after the floorball competition at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. The Phoenix Fury had been up for ten hours by 3:00 PM and had another six hours to go. “I’m tired, I’m sore, and I’m pumped up”, said DiPetta.Coach Caitlin DiPetta prepares for their the floorball competition at the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 21, 2026. “If God only gave me one group of people to surround myself with, they are the people I’d choose to be with”, said DiPetta about her team.
Posted: April 29, 2026 by Hannah Murphy
2026 Gitner Family Prize Winner
Description here
Winner: Colin Norland
DiPetta
Caitlin DiPetta is a teacher, educator, and Special Olympics coach at BOCES in Elmira N.Y., she spends time outside of her normal schedule refining her team’s skills to compete at the highest level. DiPetta’s family is extremely involved in the Special Olympics community her daughter Grace DiPetta is a coach in training for the team, and her husband and son come to every game team has “It’s nothing for me to go on a weekend trip in the winter, but for these kids its an experience they won’t forget”, said DiPetta.
Category: Uncategorized