Twenty Six Bells
will always ring in memory
of those who lost their lives at
Sandy Hook Elementary School
in Newtown, Connecticut
on December 14, 2012
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Dawn Alyson Lafferty Hochsprung, Principal
Dawn Hochsprung was the beloved principal of Sandy Hook Elementary, who made learning and educating her life's mission. The heroic principal and courageous leader was killed first inside the school that dark December day.
Mary Joy Greene Sherlach, School Psychologist
Mary Sherlach was the school psychologist who investigators said ran towards the danger to protect the children after hearing the first shots. She started her work at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 1994 doing what she termed, "God's work," by helping children who needed her the most.
Lauren Gabrielle Rousseau, First Grade Teacher
Lauren Rousseau wanted to be a teacher since she was a little girl, and heroically died trying to protect her students. Lauren was known for her exuberance, her love of family and of children, her friendliness, kindness and loyalty, and her ever-present smile.
Rachel Marie D'Avino, Behavioral Therapist
Rachel D'Avino wanted to change the world and make it better for those with autism. Rachel's life ended on the second day of her new career path as she courageously shielded her helpless students.
James "J" Radley Mattioli
James Mattioli lost his life inside his classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School. James is described as a child who loved baseball, basketball, swimming and arm wrestling, and he was a friend to everyone.
Grace "Gracie" Audrey McDonnell
Grace Audrey McDonnell was one of the 20 children who lost their lives that day. Grace was a gentle soul and her favorite symbol was the peace sign. She made the world just a little more beautiful every time she picked up a paint brush.
Emilie "Em" Alice Parker
Emilie Parker loved mornings. She loved making art. Emilie loved to be fancy. The little girl with the blonde hair and bright blue eyes would have been one of the first to comfort her classmates at Sandy Hook Elementary School had she not lost her life.
Jack Armistead Pinto
Jack Pinto had an ear-to-ear smile and playful blue eyes, and a baseball, football, fishing pole or anything else sports-related was always within his reach.
Noah Samuel Pozner
Noah Pozner was a force. A 6-year-old with a personality so great his mother said he seemed to have his own gravitational pull. Noah's uncle called him the backbone of the family. A little boy with a gravitational pull that held everyone together.
Caroline Phoebe "Boo" Previdi
Caroline Previdi loved life. Her radiant smile brightened her first-grade classroom. Always the optimist, Caroline was constantly looking to make things better and to make things wonderful for others.
Jessica Adrienne Rekos
Jessica Rekos loved horses. She watched horse movies, read horse books, drew horses and wrote stories about horses. Jessica's mother, Krista Rekos said, "I miss her laughter, her jokes, her giggles and how much fun she thought life was."
Benjamin "Ben" Andrew Wheeler
Benjamin Wheeler loved soccer and was becoming a strong swimmer. He was eager to learn and loved going to school to see his teacher and his new first grade friends. Ben was bright, spirited, filled with creativity and had an excitement for life.
Charlotte "Char" Helen Bacon
Charlotte Helen Bacon was just six years old, but she left a lasting impression on all who met her. Outgoing, precocious and fearless, that's how friends remember Charlotte. She was a happy child and a free spirit with a personality as vibrant and stunning as her curly red hair.
Daniel "Danny" Gerard Barden
Daniel Barden was a rough and tough 7-year-old, who had his two front teeth knocked out playing soccer. Daniel was a little brother, freeze tag enthusiast and all around happy little boy, who shared his kindness with those who needed a friend.
Josephine "Joey" Grace Gay
Josephine Gay was a sweet little kid with a huge personality. Joey was unable to speak because of a nervous system disorder, but she still had no problem connecting with everyone. Her impact on people was amazing. Josephine was among the many who passed far too soon at Sandy Hook.
Madeleine "Maddie" Feng Hsu
Madeleine Hsu was a sweet, unique, bright, sparkling, and determined little girl. She loved music; her favorite color was purple, and the sunny floral dresses and other outfits she wore matched her personality.
Catherine Violet Hubbard
Catherine Hubbard was always surrounded by animals. Her parents remember her sitting legs crossed in the middle of the yard, her hair falling on her face as she nuzzled her bunny in her lap. They remember Catherine singing with the birds as she soared on her swing, and her special interaction with all creatures, great and small.
Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski
Chase Kowalski was a fun-loving, energetic boy, who had a true love of life. He was an amazing son, brother, and grandson, whose heart was only filled with love for all the people he touched.
Ana Grace Marquez-Greene
Ana Marquez-Greene was a loving, generous, joyful spirit, who routinely committed selfless acts of kindness. Ana loved to sing and dance, and she would dance from room to room and place to place to all the music she heard, whether in the air or in her head.
Victoria "Vicki" Leigh Soto, First Grade Teacher
Victoria Soto was an amazing young woman, who died a hero. Teaching was her passion; molding young minds was her priority, but being the "fun" teacher was what she was all about. To her extended family, Victoria was the glue who held them all together.
Anne Marie McGowan Murphy, Special Education Aide
Anne Marie Murphy was an artistic, fun-loving, witty and hardworking woman, who died a hero. Cardinal Timothy Dolan paid tribute to Anne Marie by saying, "Like Jesus, Annie's life and death brings light, truth, goodness, and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death."
Dylan Christopher Jack Hockley
Dylan Hockley was a beautiful little boy with an infectious laugh, who loved trampolines, plain spaghetti with garlic bread, and the color purple. When asked why he would flap his arms up and down when he got excited, his response was, "Because I am a beautiful butterfly."
Avielle "Avie" Rose Richman
Avielle Richman had a spitfire personality, a love of laughter, was rarely seen without a giant grin, and had a grand spirit of adventure. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Avielle would reply that she wanted to be an artist... and a spy... oh, and a fairy princess, and a writer.
Allison "Allie" Noelle Wyatt
Allison Wyatt was an inquisitive, kind-hearted little girl, who had a lot of love to give. She loved drawing and wanted to be an artist. Allison often drew pictures for her teachers, her school bus driver, school friends, relatives, and anyone else she adored. She was funny, goofy, and loved to laugh.
Olivia "Liv or Livie" Rose Engel
Olivia Engel brought immediate joy to all those around her with her ever-present smile and adorably infectious giggle. The night of her death, a live nativity was scheduled at Saint Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church. Reverend Robert Weiss told Reuters, "She was supposed to be an angel in the play; now she's an angel up in heaven."
Jesse McCord Lewis
Jesse Lewis died bravely trying to lead other children to safety. His actions were consistent with the way he lived his life: fearless, full of courage and strength. Jesse was an amazing child, full of light and love that was unmistakable in his presence. He brought joy to the world with his infectious and radiant smile.