The tragic events that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday affected many in the Langley community, particularly Ms. Jessica Omasta.

Ms. Omasta has a deep connection with the Newtown community. She was born there, she grew up there, and she attended the now nationally known Sandy Hook Elementary School. “My parents still live there, I graduated from Newtown High School,” said Ms. Omasta.

Ms. Omasta’s mother has taught child development for 30 years at nearby Danbury High School. “My mom is really upset,” said Omasta. Ms. Omasta’s mother taught Lauren Rousseau, a teacher at Sandy Hook who was fatally shot.

Ms. Omasta’s parents also have a connection with one of the victims: “one of the first graders [who was fatally shot], lived four doors down from where my parents live.”

When Ms. Omasta first heard about the shootings, where 20 students and six staff members were killed, she “couldn’t believe it was at Sandy Hook” or in Newtown which she called a “quintessential town that you think nothing can happen in.”

On Friday Dec. 14, Ms. Omasta’s mother told her that “no Christmas lights were on” in Newtown.

“It would have been hard if it was at another elementary school, but knowing what the classrooms look like…you can’t imagine the pain felt by the families,” she said.

On Saturday Dec. 22, Ms. Omasta plans on returning to Newtown and Sandy Hook for the holidays. Ms. Omasta is on the Crisis Counselor Volunteer waiting list and will help those affected if she is needed.

With regard to Newtown’s recovery, Ms. Omasta said that for the citizens of Newtown, “coming together was natural.”

Executive Online Editor Riley Cosgrove contributed to this article.