Eastern Student Annie Chozick of West Hartford Named Recipient of History Department's Victoria Leigh Soto Memorial Fund Scholarship for 2016-17 Academic Year

2016 Apr 12

Eastern student Annie Chozick '16 of West Hartford was named as the recipient of the History Department's Victoria Leigh Soto Memorial Fund Scholarship for the 2016-17 academic year. Chozick's major is Elementary Education and History.

The scholarship was created in honor of Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Victoria Leigh Soto '08, an elementary school teacher, who lost her life protecting her first-grade students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, on Dec. 14, 2012.

Soto was a dean's list student while she attended Eastern as an Elementary Education and History double major. She was also a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. In 2013, the Department of History established the award in memory of Soto for a graduating senior who is a History major, a member of Phi Alpha Theta and is planning on a teaching career. The award is presented annually during the Phi Alpha Theta initiation ceremony at Eastern. Chozik is the fourth recipient of the scholarship.

"When I discovered that I would be receiving the Victoria Soto Memorial Award, I felt honored and humbled. I began to think about how Soto impacted the lives of her students. She demonstrated to the world that teaching is not just a job, but also a lifestyle and a commitment to one's students," said Chozick.

"This award also reminded me of why I am getting into this profession. Soto's heroic actions remind me of the power that every teacher has to influence their students and to change their lives. My goal as a teacher is to inspire my students to make the most of their lives and to realize their potential. Victoria Soto was an extraordinary teacher. I hope that I will make a profound difference in the lives of my students, just as Soto did," she added.

Chozick has interned at schools in Norwich and Hebron and is finalizing her student teaching at Samuel Huntington Elementary School in Norwich. She is also a member of Eastern's Repertory Dance Troupe. She plans to pursue a master's degree in reading and hopes to procure a teaching position by next year.

History Professor and Department Chair Anna Kirchmann said, "Annie Chozick follows in the footsteps of Victoria Soto, who was my student during her time at Eastern. Lke the previous three recipients of the award, Annie demonstrates high academic achievement, commitment to teaching, as well as integrity and kindness -- the same characteristics that Victoria possessed. I am sure that Victoria would be glad to know that our Department of History values the strong connection between history and teaching, and recognizes excellence among our student majors. I am confident that Annie will make us all proud as she carries out the legacy of Victoria Leigh Soto in her future career."