The Carol Spinelli Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Carol Spinelli Memorial Scholarship

Carol Spinelli — formerly Carol Burger, born Carol Ann Ungarten — was deeply loved and endlessly giving, without prejudice. It has taken time to create this scholarship, but we are grateful to now share her story and honor her legacy.

Today, February 15th — Carol's birthday — we officially launch the Carol Spinelli Memorial Scholarship, an annual fundraiser dedicated to the students she loved so fiercely at the Henry Viscardi School. Each year, a deserving student(s) will be selected by the teachers — many of whom knew Carol well — who best embody the spirit, kindness, joy for living, and universal acceptance that Carol carried with her every day. The scholarship will be presented each June as students step forward into the next chapter of their lives — exactly the moment Carol would have cheered the loudest.

As you read, you'll understand why.

Carol was born on February 15, 1947, to Murray and Martha Ungarten.  Her mother, Martha, was sent alone at age six by boat from Latvia, and her sister, Roberta, suffered from special needs and passed away early in life. But Carol was raised in a family shaped by love, resilience, strength, and devotion — qualities she carried into every part of her life. 

Carol was strong-willed, compassionate, and had an enormous heart. She was passionately devoted to her family, all about her boys (Rob, Jordan, Dan, Thomas, Joey, & Sal). But it was her life's work with physically-challenged students that truly defined her legacy.

For decades, Carol taught Spanish at the Henry Viscardi School, a magnet school serving students with severe physical disabilities. She later became a Vice Principal there. Carol never saw disability as a limitation — she saw brilliance, humor, strength, and possibility.

She loved events like annual Sports Night, cheering as students played wheelchair hockey against the NY Islanders. She organized trips into Manhattan — dinners, theatre, life experiences many take for granted. She constantly advocated for ramps, access points, and dignity. To Carol, her students could do anything.

Even more special, she brought her students into our lives. They joined family dinners. We became friends. We watched them thrive, drive hand-controlled vehicles, chase independence, and build lives of pride and purpose. They deserve the world.

Carol said that if she ever won the lottery, she would spend it on travel and experiences with family and friends — and in support of these kids.

One of Carol's students, Shirley, shared something unforgettable:

"I wear skirts because of Carol — bright ones, with boots. I loved how she walked into class with confident charisma — curly hair, long colorful skirts, leather pointy boots, pocketbook on one arm, newspaper in hand. She loved watching me play wheelchair hockey. She made me feel special. I miss her dearly."

Carol is no longer with us, but her impact is permanent.

Through this annual scholarship, we will honor her legacy by supporting the extraordinary students of the Henry Viscardi School — helping them graduate high school with stronger opportunities to work, live independently, and thrive in adult life.

Please help us continue Carol's spirit and support the students she believed in with everything she had.

May her name continue to be a blessing to all who encounter it.

Stay tuned — the scholarship is just the beginning. We have more planned to honor Carol's legacy and support the students and community she loved so dearly.