Victoria Soto of Stratford, CT for responding to unexpected attacks by a lone, armed assailant at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on the morning of 14 December 2012. Sensing the imminent danger, Soto hid her students within her classroom to protect them. Without regard for her own safety she confronted the gunman when he entered her classroom and diverted his attention from the hidden children. Victoria Soto gallantly gave her life for her students.