Friends and family members of Sam and Tonya Carlotta and their son Cameron raised more than $ 32,000 in just a few weeks to set up a new scholarship fund for students at Cooper High School in Boone County. If enough donations are made, they hope to offer scholarships to students at Boone County High School, their alma mater.
The Carlotta Family and Friends Scholarship Fund was established in honor of Sam Carlotta, a. founded Northern Kentuckian, who lives as an inspiration to his fellow man, even after being a Spinal injury in his teenage years which saw him face a variety of challenges and procedures trying to regain some of his mobility and independence.
Carlotta took a dip in a pool at his family’s apartment complex in 1981 and hit his head and neck on a hose, leaving him with Brown-Sequard Syndrome (BSS), a rare neurological condition that causes weakness or paralysis (hemi- Paraplegia) leads to the body and a loss of sensation on the opposite side. At first the doctors weren’t sure if they could cure Carlotta’s paralysis. However, after a complex procedure to implant a halo in his skull and two operations to fuse the cervical spine at the Good Samaritan Hospital, followed by long-term occupational and physical therapy, rehabilitation and additional interventions, Carlotta regained some mobility and function.
“Sam has always viewed the challenges of his spine injury as an opportunity for progress and growth,” said Keith Noel, a longtime friend. “He’s never played the victim, no matter what the obstacles he faced. He just always showed a can-do attitude and his trademark is NBL, which means nothing but love. “
Carlotta’s many friends have remained a large part of his life, so the group meets every year for the “SamFest” in December to tell old stories. His wife Tonya was also by his side for most of his life. The two originally met as a student at Ockerman Junior High School in Florence, Tonya two years younger than Sam. The couple started dating in high school, have been married for many years, and now live in Union with their son Cameron.
“I never thought that one day I would marry the guy I went to my very first school dance with.” Tonya said. “But here we are almost 45 years later! Life can change in the blink of an eye and through all of this we have been tremendously blessed. “
Carlotta’s friends decided to surprise him on June 12th this year on a route that would seem a bit normal for Sam-a SamFest, but in the summer as they had to skip the party in December 2020 due to the pandemic. When he arrived at his home that evening from another family celebration, he was greeted by a large group of friends and family who had filled his driveway and nearby sidewalks. A group of his closest friends and family presented him with the “big check” for a total of $ 32,300 to set up a new scholarship fund for students at Cooper High School in Boone County.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I rarely miss words” Sam said. “After the presentation, some shouted ‘Speech!’ But I couldn’t form a thought because I felt so overwhelmed and humiliated by the experience. I can’t thank my friends and family enough for this gesture, but more importantly, the impact it can have on young adults entering the next stage of their lives. “
Carlotta has been closely associated with Cooper High School since Cameron started school there in 2008, the first year of school. With Cameron involved in baseball and football, Sam began volunteering for the teams. He’s been involved for so long that the baseball team now presents a Sam Carlotta Inspiration Award every year, and Sam leads many of the team’s fundraising drives.
As much as he loves athletics, he says his real passion is with the kids and watching them grow over the years. They talk to him about how the school is going and what their future plans are, and Sam gets to know their parents and other coaches in their lives. Cooper’s track and field team also gave Carlotta a reserved space in the school campus parking lot, from which Carlotta can easily watch football games without having to navigate through the crowd – he affectionately calls it his private suite.
The Carlotta family looks forward to the scholarships helping students choose their post-secondary education, whether through a business school, community college, or university or college course.
“Everyone wants to thank me, but I really owe them the thanks” Sam added. “From the school management to the coaches, parents and student athletes, they made it possible for me to get involved in something I love. I try to explain to the players that sport makes them friends for life. But it doesn’t have to be a sport. I think all students should participate in as many school activities as possible including sports, band, choir, academic teams, etc. You build relationships / friendships that will last a lifetime and that are invaluable. If I can just inspire a student athlete to make a positive change or set a goal and achieve it, it was worth every second. Take a look at the relationships I have built and what this great group of people has done for my family and our community. I have had a tremendous support system since my spinal cord injury in 1981. My family and friends have accompanied me through all of this. I can’t thank them enough for that. I have only one thing for everyone. NBL! “
“This is another unique story of Northern Kentucky that translates into a legacy of giving that will support our local students for years to come,” said Nancy Grayson, President of the Horizon Community Funds. “Gathering friends and assembling a larger group of community supporters to uplift students on behalf of someone they deeply admire and respect is a story that moves us all. Horizon Community Funds is honored to do our part to bring this scholarship fund to life in Boone County. “
Fund partnerships with Horizon Community Funds offer donors a flexible way to support their preferred nonprofit or nonprofit organization. Donors can choose to make an endowed gift to support the charity’s mission for generations to come, or choose to make a non-endowed donation that will provide funding for needs in northern Kentucky. Horizon Community Funds provides donors and fund owners with a deep connection with northern Kentucky, including its not-for-profit organizations and needs.
For more information or to make a gift to the Carlotta Family and Friends Scholarship Fund at Horizon Community Funds, visit www.horizonfunds.org or call Nancy Grayson at 859.757.1552. Checks may also be sent to Horizon Community Funds at 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 431, Covington, KY 41011 (Memo: Carlotta Family and Friends Scholarship Fund).
-Employee report
source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/friends-and-family-raise-32000-for-carlotta-scholarship-fund/
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