School to be named after Victoria Soto

STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- The Stratford Town Council Monday approved a proposal to rename a local school for a teacher killed in the Newtown school shooting.

HoneySpot Elementary School will be named after Victoria Soto, a 27-year-old Stratford resident who died trying to shield her students from the gunman.

Stratford Mayor John Harkins made the recommendation. There was applause after the unanimous vote.

"I am happy that the town was able to come together and pass this and I feel honored that my sister's name will stay alive and she will never be forgotten," said Jillian Soto, Victoria's sister.

Soto's family was present for the vote which came after an hour of public comment from residents.

"An elementary school in memory of Victoria Soto is a wonderful thing to do," said one man.

Some speakers also voiced concerns that a gun control resolution by Stratford Councilwoman Stephanie Philips was not put for a vote, while others felt her measure distracted from the Soto school vote.

"A little disappointed. We didn't want the direction of the meeting to go that way. Tonight was supposed to be about honoring Vicki's legacy," said Jim Wiltsie a Soto relative.

What may come up for a vote in the near future, re-naming the street outside Stratford High in honor of Soto, who graduated from the school in 2003.

"My brother goes to Stratford High and my cousins will be attending next year. To know that they'll be able to go to a school and hopefully have the street named "Vicki Soto Way," said Jillian Soto.