Thursday, October 31, 2013

Victoria Soto, age 27

picture from People magazine
 
 
Information from Huffington post, obituary, NY Times, Wikipedia, Eastern Connecticut State University,
 
 
 Born In Bridgeport on November 4 1985, 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: Flamingo's, of which you can never have to many, (whenever we saw one, we thought of her), the New York Yankees #11, ... Vicki also leaves behind her loving dog Roxie, who waited for her to come home everyday, and is still waiting, lost without her. Her extended family was also a huge part of her life. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newstimes/obituary.aspx?pid=161773156#sthash.Gr5QD4Ds.dpuf
 
      
...Ms. Soto was remembered as a young woman with long brown hair, captivating blue eyes and “an infectious laugh,” one who had a passion for gathering her extended family together whenever she could and making relatives laugh with sometimes zany impulsive gestures.  They recalled how Ms. Soto, on a whim, insisted that all of her cousins and siblings buy cheap sunglasses before a trip to a Six Flags amusement park, how she woke her lovesick college roommate with “Kiss the Girl” from the Disney film “The Little Mermaid.”... and seemed to live for Christmas and the chance to ornament a tree that she insisted on choosing, and to be surrounded by her family.  She was the funniest, goofiest person.... always up for anything.When she hugged you,” she said, “she put her whole heart and soul into every hug she gave.” Ms. Soto’s aunt, Debbie Cronk, a teacher who was her professional inspiration, remembered how exuberant Ms. Soto was when she called five years ago to say she had secured a job at Sandy Hook Elementary. But Ms. Cronk also remembered her mischievous side, how as a little girl Ms. Soto loved feeding the ducks near her grandmother’s house, though not as much as eating the bread herself. Ms. Schiavone, her best friend, recalled Ms. Soto’s devotion to the profession — spending every evening working on lesson plans and designing poster boards — and the extra mile she went for her students. 
 
 
 
 
On November 1st, we shall have a purple flamingo in attendance at the fire in memory of Vickie Soto.
 


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