November 4, 1985 – December 14, 2012

“You have a teacher who cared more about her students than herself,” said Mayor John Harkins of Stratford, the town Soto hailed from and where more than 300 people gathered for a memorial service Saturday night. “That speaks volumes to her character, and her commitment and dedication.” [1]

Twenty-seven year old Victoria Soto was happy, selfless, enthusiastic, and loved what she was doing. She was also a hero who put her students first even if it meant relinquishing her life. Her friends were not surprised by the reports that she shielded her first-graders from danger.” The children always came first. Her friend Andrea Crowell said, “That’s all she ever talked about. She wanted to do her best for them, to teach them something new every day.” [2]

Victoria Soto and her dog, Roxie

SHES Grade One, 100^th Day Parade 2

Teaching was her goal. Mayor John Harkins of Stratford, where Soto was from, said, “You have a teacher who cared more about her students than herself. That speaks volumes to her character, and her commitment and dedication.” There were over 300 people at her memorial service. [3]

Paul Simon sang the classic Simon and Garfunkel hit, The Sound of Silence, at the funeral for Victoria’s funeral on December 19, 2012. The church was unable to accommodate the many guests who wanted to pay their respects so Paul Simon’s song and the friends’ and family member’s eulogies were broadcast to those who gathered outside of the church. Many funeral attendees wore green ribbons. Green was Vicki’s favorite color as well as the school color. [4]

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Vicki’s casket is carried into Lordship Community Church prior to her funeral (JAMES KEIVOM/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

Bagpipers play at funeral services for Soto on December 19, 2012 in Stratford

Lucas Jackson/REUTERS; Vicki’s sisters weep as they leave the Lordship Community Church following her funeral in Stratford, Connecticut.

Staff photos by Tom Kelly IVA funeral procession led by a motorcycle escort rolls through Stratford, and into Union Cemetery. Victoria “Vicki” Leigh Soto, age 27, of Stratford, CT, a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School, was laid to rest Wednesday, December 29, 2012.

New Jersey was devastated by the Superstorm Sandy, the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed October 22, 2012 and dissipated November 2, 2012, then the tragedy at Sandy Hook occurred. [5]

In 2013, New Jersey firefighter Capt. Bill Lavin created The Sandy Ground: Where Angels Play for the purpose of building twenty-six playgrounds for each of the twenty-six victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, in communities that were hit hard by superstorm Sandy last year. The volunteers and firefighters built the playgrounds to reflect the personalities of the victims. Additionally, Carlos Soto built a playground near his home in honor of his daughter Victoria Soto. He says it’s healing to spend time there. [6]

Carlos said, “For me it’s been almost like therapy, because doing these playgrounds, I enjoy it, and I don’t have to sit at home just thinking about it. Now I could do something for my daughter. You know, she’s no longer with me, but she always will be in my heart. When we’re building, she’s always looking down at us with her students, seeing that something ugly happened, something beautiful is coming out of it.” [7]

A playground dedicated to Victoria Soto was under construction in June 2013, in Stratford, Connecticut. [8]

[1] The Newtown Shooting Victims: Who They Were, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/The-Newtown-Shooting-Victims-Who-They-Were-183658461.html; retrieved 12/13/2017

[2] The Newtown Shooting Victims: Who They Were, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/The-Newtown-Shooting-Victims-Who-They-Were-183658461.html; retrieved 12/13/2017

[3] The Newtown Shooting Victims: Who They Were, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/The-Newtown-Shooting-Victims-Who-They-Were-183658461.html; retrieved 12/13/2017

[4] Paul Simon Performs at Funeral for Sandy Hook Teacher, http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/12/19/paul-simon-sandy-hook-funeral-teacher-newtown-shooting/; retrieved 12/11/2017

[5] Playgrounds For Newtown Victims Built In Sandy-Struck Towns, Here and Now, 10/23/2013

[6] Playgrounds For Newtown Victims Built In Sandy-Struck Towns, Here and Now, 10/23/2013

[7] Playgrounds For Newtown Victims Built In Sandy-Struck Towns, Here and Now, 10/23/2013

[8] Playgrounds For Newtown Victims Built In Sandy-Struck Towns, Here and Now, 10/23/2013