ECSU scholarship in honor of Vicki Soto

STORRS, Conn. (WTNH) -- Two universities here in the state have already come forward with plans to establish scholarships in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook.

The UConn Foundation is setting up a memorial scholarship fund to benefit those close to the victims while ECSU is establishing a scholarship to honor one of its own, a former student who became a teacher at Sandy Hook.

"This would be the table that she sat at."

Leslie Ricklin remembers exactly where Victoria Leigh Soto sat in her class at Eastern Connecticut State University. That is just how memorable she was.

"From her smile to the level of her questions she just really was absorbing everything she could," said Ricklin, ECSU Professor of Education.

Soto graduated from ECSU with a double major in elementary education and history.

"She was a very hard working dedicated person," said Hari Koirala, Education Department Chair.

The professors were horrified to learn their stand out student was among the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary. They are proud of her heroics, hiding her students as she confronted the gunman.

"Oh it was just chilling," said Ricklin. "Who'd have thought that somebody who was a first grade teacher would have to make that ultimate sacrifice."

The praise for Vicki Soto came often and it also came early.

An evaluation from Brewster Elementary in Durham where she did her student teaching said, "if I was serving on an interviewing committee for a position in my building, I would not hesitate to hire her. She truly loves working with children and helps them grow both as students and caring individuals."

Her response to that evaluation is as follows: This experience made me realize more than ever that teaching is my passion; this is what I was meant to do.

It goes on to say how she was motivated and excited every time she went into the classroom and saw their smiling faces and saw how they lit up like light bulbs when they learned something.

To honor Soto, ECSU is establishing a scholarship in her name. The UConn Foundation has established its own Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund for students at the school, siblings of the victims, and the children of the adults who perished.

"First thing yesterday morning is what could we do? From faculty, staff, and alumni," said Frank Gifford, The UConn Foundation.

Geno Auriemma and his wife Kathy made the initial contribution of $80,000 and already hundreds of others have followed.