As the countdown for Christmas began a twenty year-old man shot and killed his Mother at home before heading to the local elementary school. In the end twenty children in first grade, all between the ages of six and seven were killed. Six faculty members were also murdered, all died while protecting the school and children. Almost everyone died instantly. Entering the first classroom the shooter killed the two teachers, one was a substitute, and all the children save one. The six year-old girl survived by hiding behind the bathroom door and playing dead. She was one of the first out of the building covered in blood and told her parents "Mommy, I'm okay, but all my friends are dead.". In the next classroom several students managed to escape and took refuge in a nearby house with a school bus driver. All but two of the victims were shot multiple times. The shooter than took his own life. He had Asperger's syndrome and OCD.

I know that this is slightly off topic, but this shooting hits hard, because the children were so little. As of right now they would have been preparing to enter their first year of high school. I also have been diagnosed with OCD and extreme anxiety. As a person with mental illness I do want to say that I obviously do not condone the shooter's actions. I may be able to understand somewhat what he went through, but he was a terrible person. Mental illness isn't scary, he unfortunately just gave us bad publicity. Driving people with problems away and being mean to them because you are scared will only increase the chances of something like this happening again. I'm still human and I'm not scary, just a little bit different. Please just be nice to everyone.

Jessica Rekos, 6

Jessica loved to write and to ride horses. She was extremely smart and extremely kind. That year, she had been looking forward to Christmas and had asked Santa for a cowgirl hat and boots.

Olivia Engel, 6

Olivia was known to love dancing, animals, and being around her three year old brother. She was supposed to play an angel in a church play on the Friday after she died.

Dylan Hockley,6

Dylan was always remembered as being a very happy kid "He was 6 and full of joy" his mother said. She said he was always smiling, and described his laugh as infectious . "He was autistic" his mother said, "but incredibly empathetic".

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Madeline Hsu was a joyful and happy little 6-year-old who lit up around animals, especially dogs. She was described as taking everything on with excitement and enthusiasm, soaking up the experiences that life threw at her. She loved to sing along to the radio and play in the pool. A playground was built in her honor.

Jack Pinto, 6

Young Jack was incredibly active and fun loving. He took part in sports like flag football, wrestling, baseball, basketball, and skiing. He had just won his first wrestling medal the week before he was killed. A huge football fan, he loved the New York Giants and his favorite player wore his name on his jersey in remembrance. His older brother, eleven at the time, went on to win the state championship on the seventh anniversary of Jack and his friend's deaths.

Chase Kowalski, 7

The seven years of Chase Micheal-Anthony Kowalski's life left a great impact on anybody who met him. His death, however, left a bigger one. Now, the Chase Micheal-Anthony Kowalski (CMAK) sandy hook memorial foundation has donated $80,000 to preschool scholarships.

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Ben was born into a very musical family, his parents were both performers in new york, jobs they left when they moved to Newtown and had Chase. He was a boy scout, loved swimming and playing soccer.

Allison Wyatt, 6

The young girl was unbelievably kind and caring. She loved gardening with her mother and filled her house with artwork. She left behind her two younger siblings who she loved dearly. The second also attended Sandy Hook, but survived the shooting. Allison had been teaching her how to read. "Allie" was a very intelligent young girl according to her family.

Caroline Previdi, 6

This little girl is remembered for her beautiful, infectious smile and wanting anyone she met to be happy and smiling too. She used to ride the bus with a neighbor's son when he got scared, and would play peek-a-boo with him to keep him grinning. She was described as "Silly Caroline" and a family friend remembered how Caroline had broken her piggy bank and brought all the money in a bag to donate to a fund for kids.

James Mattioli, 6

James Mattioli was a very curious child and always asked questions about things. He enjoyed playing sports and singing. He would dream of being old enough to sing on stage. Every year, there is a 5K race in his honor.

Daniel Barden, 7

Described as an "old soul" this little boy made an effort to make all kids feel accepted and included. One time he learned his uncle would be paying the family a visit for Daniel's birthday. He told his family he was excited to get another present. When corrected that his uncle coming doesn't mean just another present, young Daniel told them that his uncle being here would be his present.

Josephine Gay, 7

The young girl, "Joey", turned seven just three days before she and twenty-five others were murdered. She was autistic and nonverbal, but still fun loving and energetic. Since her passing a playground was made especially for special needs kids. The family is big fans of the Baltimore Ravens, so the NFL donated to help make the purple playground possible. There are multiple playground locations put up by the Where Angels Play Foundations across multiple states.

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Catherine Hubbard had a bright smile that could light up a room. She was kind and extremely passionate about animals. When she was alive, she wanted to open an animal shelter. Her family opened that animal shelter in her honor. 

Charlotte Bacon, 6

The young girl loved practicing Tae Kwon Do with her dad and brother. The vibrant young girl was especially fond of the color pink and wanted to be a veterinarian since the age of two. Her family and friends have said that she's never met an animal that she didn't love and who didn't love her. On her obituary people still leave messages to this day saying how amazing she was and how far she should have gone.

Emilie Parker, 6

Emilie was said to be able to light up a room. She carried her markers and colored pencils wherever she went and her father remembers many times where someone in the family was sad or frustrated, and she rushed to draw them a picture or write them an encouraging note. She loved her two little sisters dearly, and taught them everything she knew.

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

The beautiful young girl had a natural talent for music. Her father, a renowned jazz saxophonist, says she was a dedicated younger sister to her brother. It was noted that she never walked, instead she danced from place to place. The young girl loved to sing, dance, and believed deeply in God.

Grace Audrey McDonnell, 7

Grace McDonnell was known for her kindness and gentleness towards everyone. Her mom used to blow dry her hair next to the bathroom window, and she would write little notes in it when it fogged up. She loved going to school, and she would pack her backpack the day before to be ready to skip up the bus steps the next day. Her parents chose a white casket for her to rest in so they could cover it in sharpie drawings of everything and anything that she loved.

As always I do this for my little sister, may you remain alive and untouched. I love you.