Gunman Kills 20 Schoolchildren in Connecticut

Staffers Hailed as Heroes after Connecticut Shooting

VOXY/AP | 17 DECEMBER, 2012

NEWTOWN, Connecticut -

Out of the ruins of families that lost a precious child, sister or mother, glows one bright spot: the stories of staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School who may have prevented further carnage through selfless actions and smart snap judgments.

After gunman Adam Lanza broke through the school door, gun blazing, school psychologist Mary Sherlach and principal Dawn Hochsprung ran toward him, Robinson said. Hochsprung died while lunging at the gunman, officials said.

The 56-year-old Sherlach, who would have been tasked with helping survivors cope with the tragedy, died doing what she loved, her son-in-law, Eric Schwartz, said.

Victoria Soto, a 27-year-old teacher, reportedly hid some students in a bathroom or closet and died trying to shield them from bullets, a cousin, Jim Wiltsie, told ABC News. Those who knew Soto said they weren't surprised.

In other cases, staffers both saved students and managed to escape with their own lives.

One person who wasn't in the school at all also is being lauded for his grace: Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie died.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he said he was not mad and offered sympathy for Lanza's family. "I can't imagine," he said, "how hard this experience must be for you."

The highlighted words are the most difficult ones, and they are related to crime. Look them up in the dictionary if you don't know the meanings, here are a few of them:

• smart snap judgement: intelligent sudden decisions
• gun blazing: with the gun ready, marking path with the gun
• is being lauded: is being praised, glorified

How did Hochsprung die?

1. hiding the students
2. confronting the killer
3. shielding students
4. breaking the school doors

                                                                                                                                 The correct answer is: 2.