STRATFORD—The St. Mark School Community was in full force at the recent Vicki Soto 5K Race, with a team of 84 strong! The team, which included a principal, students, alumni, parents and current and former faculty, came together to honor Vicki Soto, the 27-year old first-grade teacher who lost her life in the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
“As a former first-grade teacher and current first-year principal, I cannot express how deeply proud I am of our St. Mark School community for participating in such an important and significant event,” commented St. Mark Principal Melissa Warner. “Vicki Soto’s actions embodied the selfness of Christ, and we are proud to honor Miss Soto’s legacy.”
This year marked the 7th Annual Vicki Soto 5K, a family-friendly walk/run that took place through the picturesque Lordship section of Stratford, Vicki’s hometown. Over 4,000 participants signed up to run or walk to remember Vicki Soto this year!
All of the money raised benefits the Vicki Soto Memorial Fund, established in honor of Vicki’s passion for education. The fund awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in education. To date, the fund has awarded over $150,000 in educational scholarships.
Jen Tayman, President of the St. Mark School Parent Association remarked that the St. Mark team was the largest team at this year’s 5K. “Our enthusiasm, compassion and school spirit shines through year after year at this beautiful memorial event,” noted Jen. “This year we are especially proud of 4th Grader Julianne Gonzalez who came in first place for her age division with a time of 31:32.”
St. Mark School, Stratford’s only Blue Ribbon School, provides an academically rigorous, faith-based education to students in grades Pre-K through 8. St. Mark School is currently accepting applications for the 2020-2021 academic year.
(For more information, please visit www.stmarkschool.org.)
