Victoria Leigh Soto

My hero is Victoria Leigh Soto. She sacrificed her life to save her students. She decided their lives were worth more than hers so she died to protect them.

Victoria Leigh Soto was born November fourth in 1985 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She died 27 years later on December 14th in 2012. Victoria died when she was shot by Adam Lanza, an armed man that came into her school. She was a teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary and although she probably didn't know when she applied for the job that she would be murdered there.

Victoria's parents, Donna and Carlos Soto, raised her in Connecticut along with her two sisters Jillian and Carlee. Of course as a little kid, she probably never imagined getting killed to save the children of the people who paid her salary...

The day Victoria was killed started off as any normal day. She was teaching her first day class. During the school day, she found out a man armed with a gun had gotten into the school. She hastily hid them in closets and cupboards. When Adam Lanza came into her classroom, she told him her students were in the gym. Some of her students tried to run from their hiding places and Adam started shooting. In attempt to save her students, she 'leaped' in front of them to shield them. Then, Victoria Leigh Soto was killed. Lanza killed 5 staff teachers and 20 student before killing himself.

But people will not forget Victoria Leigh Soto. She is remembered through scholarships, roads, and even buildings. She is the symbol for sacrifice and love. A picture of her sister finding out about her murder is a universal symbol for terrorism. It reminds us life is fragile and valuable. Victoria was the type of friend that was willing to get hurt to save others. And that is exactly what a friend should be.