Honoring Vicki Soto, the New Town, Connecticut Teacher who gave her life for her students

Huffington Post

A 27-year-old teacher of Puerto Rican descent has emerged as a hero in the tragic shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

Details remain fuzzy, but it appears that Victoria Soto hid students in a bathroom or closet and died trying to protect them from alleged shooter Adam Lanza, according to several news reports.

You have a teacher who cared more about her students than herself,” Mayor John Harkins of Soto’s hometown of Stratford, Conn. said, according to the Associated Press. “That speaks volumes to her character, and her commitment and dedication.”

About 300 people gathered for a memorial service Saturday night, according to the Associated Press.

A report from Fox News Latino describes Soto as a “model teacher, daughter and citizen.”

Please click here to read the interview with her grieving family.

Obituary of Vicki Soto

Victoria “Vicki” Leigh Soto, age 27, of Stratford, cherished daughter of Carlos and Donna (Fagan) Soto, and beloved sister of Jillian, Carlee and Carlos Matthew Soto, passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 in Sandy Hook, Conn.

Born In Bridgeport, she was a lifelong Stratford resident. Vicki was a graduate of Stratford High School Class of 2003, and Eastern Connecticut State University, where she graduated with high honors, earning degrees in both Education and History.

She was currently attending Southern Connecticut State University, to complete her Master’s Degree. Vicki was in her fifth year of teaching at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Teaching was her passion, following in the footsteps of her beloved Aunt Debbie, and her dream since she was three years old.

Molding young minds was her priority, but being the “fun” teacher, was what she was all about. The children she taught at Sandy Hook Elementary were a huge part of her life.

Vicki was equally passionate about her family, which was the most important part of her life, especially her siblings, sisters, Jillian whom she loved unconditionally, and Carlee in whom she instilled the importance of higher education and her brother Carlos Matthew who looked up to his big sister with pride.

She was not only a role model to her sisters and brother, but to everyone she met. She was an amazing young woman, who died a hero. Some of her favorite things include: Flamingos, of which you can never have too many, (whenever we saw one, we thought of her), the New York Yankees #11, and, most importantly, Christmas, as she was the only one allowed to pick out the tree and put up the lights.

Her friends were also such a big part of her life, especially her best friend and confidant Rachel Schiavone, whom she loved dearly. Vicki also leaves behind her loving dog Roxie, who waited for her to come home every day, and is still waiting, lost without her.

Her extended family was also a huge part of her life. In addition to her beloved parents and siblings, Vicki is survived by her grandparents, “Pop Pop,” Donald Fagan of Bridgeport, and Jose and Marta Soto of Cleveland, TN, her Aunt and Godmother Debbie Cronk, and her husband, Uncle Robbie Cronk and their children, Heather Rose, Brianne Elizabeth and Wesley Fagan Cronk, her Uncle and Godfather Dean Fagan and his wife Denise and their children, Alex Gerard and her favorite buddy Zachary Jan Fagan. SOFACRO forever!

She is also survived by her Uncle Don Fagan and his wife Linda and their children, Don and wife Jennifer, Christopher and Fiancé Sarah, their children Natalie, Christopher and Doug Fagan. She was predeceased by her maternal grandmother Janice Biebel Fagan.

Vicki was truly an amazing daughter, sister, cousin, teacher and friend and died protecting her “kids.” We couldn’t be prouder of our HERO.

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at 10 a.m. DIRECTLY in Lordship Community Church 190 Prospect Drive Stratford, CT 06615.

This obituary was courtesy of Adzima Funeral Home.

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• Hero: Vicki Soto, 27, saved first-graders from shooter; Grieving sisters honor her sacrifice (twitchy.com)
• A Hero In Connecticut (promisebook.net)
• Victoria Soto died a hero, saving her students during the Newtown, CT massacre (deathandtaxesmag.com)
• Victoria Soto Being Called an Angel After Shielding First Graders from Gunman (americanlivewire.com)
• Sister of heroic Newtown teacher Vicki Soto asks friends to hang up on media vultures (twitchy.com)
• A Hero In Connecticut (ptl2010.com)
• Vigil Honors Teacher Who Died Defending Her Students (newamericamedia.org)
• Connecticut Shooting: Hero Teacher Died Saving Students (people.com)
• Victoria Soto, The Heroic Teacher Who Sacrificed Her Life So Children Could Live (alan.com)
• Victoria Soto Died protecting her First-Grade Students (z6mag.com)