Victoria Soto was 27 and teaching first grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on the morning of December 14, 2012. That day began as she drove to school with Christmas music in her car and teaching plans for her students. A 20-year-old man, Adam Lanza, had fatally shot his mother at home and then drove to the school armed with multiple firearms, forcing his way into the building shortly after 9:30 a.m.

As gunfire echoed through the halls, Soto gathered her students and hid them in a closet. When Lanza entered her classroom she told him the children were in the school gymnasium in an effort to divert him. Several frightened children fled their hiding spots; Lanza then turned his weapon on the students. Soto moved to shield them and was shot multiple times. She was found huddled over her students.

Lanza died by suicide as first responders arrived, and investigators later concluded he had acted alone. The attack claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators. Does anyone who knew Victoria or her students have memories to share that could honor her courage and service?