Little girl killed in Connecticut lived in NM

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - The news of the Connecticut mass school shooting hits home for many in New Mexico.    
    
One of the youngest victims, 6-year-old Emilie Parker, moved to Newtown just a year ago from Rio Rancho.
    
She was a kindergartner in New Mexico last year.

Photos: Newtown School Shooting

The blonde haired, blue eyed little girl was the oldest of three children. Her family is heart broken.

"Emilie's laugh was infections, and all those who had the pleasure to meet her would agree that this world is better because she's been in it," her father Robbie Parker said.

Robbie Parker said his daughter was loving, friendly bubbly and a budding artist. He said her greatest joy came from helping others.

At a news conference Saturday evening the Parkers said they are praying for all of the victims .

The family moved to Connecticut in January and her father, who's a physician's assistant, transferred from Presbyterian Hospital to a hospital there.

Now, the principle of Maggie Cordova Elementary, the school where Emilie attended kindergarten, has spoken out.
    
In her yearbook picture from the Rio Rancho Elementary school, Emilie Parker's beautiful smile can be seen.
    
She was in Mrs. Dale's and Mrs. Leeper's class.
    
The principal said her teacher's described her as joyful and loving.
    
They say she enjoyed arts and crafts and helping other students, especially those with special needs.
   
Principal Cathy Gaarden said they learned about Emilie’s death just before 4 o’clock Friday, as everyone was getting out of class, from a source close to the family.
    
She says the whole school is heartbroken and says if Emilie was alive she would simply ask for peace on earth.

”She'd just come up and hug my legs, she was just an effervescent little person,” Principal Gaarden said. “Her teachers just kept saying sparkly, that's how her mom's best friend described her, sparkly. She was just sheer joy, just sheer joy.”
    
Emilie leaves behind her mother, father and two younger sisters.
    
The Parker family has set up a memorial in Emilie's name. Click here for more information.

The district says there will be additional grief counselors on hand at Maggie Cordova Monday.
    
A public memorial service for Emilie is scheduled at Cabezon Park Monday night at 6 o’clock.