Vicki Soto Memorial Scholarship

The Vicki Soto Memorial Scholarship, based in Stratford, provides a prestigious four-year renewable award totaling $12,000 to students pursuing a career in education. Each year, the scholarship committee selects four outstanding recipients who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and a deep passion for education.

Two of the annual awards are designated for students from local high schools in Stratford, ensuring that Vicki Soto’s legacy continues to impact her hometown community. Recognizing the importance of fostering future educators beyond Stratford, the scholarship program has expanded to include candidates from across Connecticut and the United States. Each year, one student from Connecticut and one from outside the state are selected to receive a renewable scholarship of up to $12,000.

Since its establishment, the Vicki Soto Memorial Scholarship has supported 40 exceptional students, helping them achieve their dreams of becoming educators. These recipients have gone on to attend a wide range of accredited institutions, where they have continued to demonstrate the qualities that define this scholarship—academic dedication, leadership, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Many past recipients have already entered the education field, carrying forward Vicki Soto’s inspiring legacy of passion, perseverance, and love for learning.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must be pursuing a degree in education at an accredited institution and exhibit outstanding performance in academics, extracurricular activities, and leadership. Beyond their achievements, recipients are expected to embody the values of living life to the fullest, laughter, and a genuine love for education—principles that Vicki Soto embraced and that continue to inspire future generations of educators.

Application Review Process

The Scholarship Committee will consider several factors, including:

• The applicant’s academic performance is indicated by grade point average and class rank.
• The variety and extent of the applicant’s involvement in community and extracurricular activities.
• The creativity, clarity, MLA writing style, and grammar of the applicant’s responses to our questions.
• As needed, interview over the phone or Skype/FaceTime with members of the scholarship committee at a time and date to be set by the committee.
• All signatures must be obtained for your application to be complete.

We take pride in giving out this scholarship honoring Vicki. We expect all applicants to know who Vicki was and what this scholarship stands for. Our winners should exemplify their spirit and love of education and life. Please feel free to learn more about Vicki’s legacy and the Vicki Soto Memorial Foundation at www.teamvickisoto.com

Application Review Process:

The finished application must be sent to the following address by April 1, 2026: The Vicki Soto Memorial Fund, Inc. 158 Knowlton St. Stratford, CT 06615

• An official copy of a high school transcript, including grades through the last reporting period.
• A letter of recommendation from one of your current teachers.
• Answers to our committee’s essay question.

The eligible applicant must:

• Be a full-time senior student at an accredited 4-year high school graduating in the spring of 2026.
• Intend to pursue a career in education at an accredited college.
• Embody Vicki and who she was as an educator.

MLA FORMATTED ESSAY PORTION

Please respond to the following question in a 1 to 2 page essay following MLA formatting. Answers should be detailed and give our scholarship committee a glimpse into who you are.

“Explain what being a scholarship recipient would mean to you and how you would represent Vicki’s legacy inside and outside the classroom.”