An online petition to the Stratford Town Council requesting to rename a town road after fallen Newtown teacher Victoria "Vicki" Soto had garnered more than 6,000 signatures as of late Tuesday.
The petition, posted on Change.org by Chris Barbee, seeks to rename North Parade Street — the road that runs in front of Soto's alma mater Stratford High School — to Victoria Soto Way.
Soto died protecting her first-grade students during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14 that claimed the lives of 20 young children and five other adults.
Soto sacrificed her life shielding her students from the gunman and her story of courage and selflessness has traveled the world over. Looking at where some of the petition signees hail from, it's clear Soto has touched many lives.
Canadian Arden Ouellette writes: "To honor a young educator who gave her life in an attempt to save her students. Incredible and so well deserved to be memorialized in this manner."
Frances Martin, of Switzerland, explains her reason for signing: "Victoria Soto was a HERO. She deserves to be remembered."
And then there is the local support of Stratfordites.
"I am a graduate of SHS, class of 1971, and would be honored to have the name changed to Victoria Soto Way," writes Linda Brown. "Please consider this!!"
Stratford resident Carol DeVitto writes: "I think this is a wonderful way to honor Vicki. We should also think about naming a room in Stratford High after her. Vicki is a well needed role model for Stratford's children and youth. If we ever build a new school it should be named after Vicki."
Speaking at her sister's funeral, Jillian Soto acknowledged the worldwide outpouring of support for "Vicki," as those who knew her best called her.
"You are in so many people's hearts," she said. "For the 19 children you protected you were an angel [and] you've been my hero my entire life. I'm so proud of you and all you did in your 27 years.”
The next scheduled meeting of the Stratford Town Council is Monday, Jan. 14.
