‘She was always smiling’: Hunter’s Creek Middle School comes together in honor of Maddie Soto

ORLANDO, Fla. — As the investigation continues into what happened to Maddie Soto, members of her school community came together Saturday to support one another.

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They held a prayer vigil at Focal Point Church, in Orlando.

Hundreds of parents, teachers, fellow students, and school staff joined in prayer to honor the life of the 13-year-old.

“Our community is hurting,” said Pastor Andrew Daniel during the service. “We are here today, together, because that’s what this community is about.”

Read: Madeline Soto’s body found in rural Osceola County

Maddie Soto went missing on Monday, and later was found dead in a wooded area in Osceola County.

Her mother’s boyfriend, Stephen Sterns, is now the primary suspect in her disappearance, detectives said.

Sterns being held at Osceola County jail and faces multiple child sex battery charges.

Maddie was described a child full of light and love.

Read: 2 killed after motorcycle was rear-ended on I-4, troopers say

“She was always smiling,” said Becky Daniel, her former teacher. “Friday was an awful day because the kids quickly found out about it; we’re a digital school, they saw what was going on. And I knew at that moment I wasn’t just their math teacher. I was there to comfort them.”

The event was organized just moments after Maddie’s death was confirmed by investigators.

For teachers, parents, and students, Maddie’s death is a tough reality that has impacted the entire school.

Read: Community holds prayer vigil for Madeline Soto

“In times when there’s tragedy, we need to find comfort, and I think this is one of those times when the community needs to come together,” said Pastor Andrew Daniel. “We believe that the church’s roles are to bring this community together.”

During the vigil here at focal point church, organizers gave out little green pins.

They mark the school’s colors, but also serve as a visual reminder that the community will stay together as they look to one another to heal from the tragedy.

Madeline Soto: Search for missing girl enters 5th day in Orange County

Madeline Soto: Missing Kissimmee girl's body found in rural Osceola County The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Friday evening that Madeline Soto’s body has been found. Investigators said Osceola County deputies found the missing 13-year-old girl’s body at about 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area along Hickory Tree Road. (WFTV/WFTV)

Stephan Sterns & Madeline Soto Detectives believe Stephan Sterns killed 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday morning at a Kissimmee apartment complex. (WFTV)

Search for Madeline Soto Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. (WFTV)

Video Sources: Madeline Soto’s body discovered in rural Osceola County Sources say that Maddie’s body was found in rural St. Cloud near Hickory Tree Road. (Chantelle Navarro /Chantelle Navarro)

Law enforcement join the search for Madeline Soto Police and deputies canvassed the area of Osceola County for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. (Nick Papantonis/Nick Papantonis)

Kissimmee Police Department will take over Madeline Soto investigation The Kissimmee Police Department will handle the search for Madeline Soto, said Chief Betty Holland. (Nick Papantonis/Nick Papantonis)

Orange County Sheriff John Mina gives update on Madeline Soto The sheriff said the efforts will now shift to recovering her body. (Orange County Sheriff's Office /Orange County Sheriff's Office)

Orange County Sheriff's Office gave an update for Madeline Soto Sheriff John Mina said he is confident that she is dead, and recovery efforts will continue. (Nick Papantonis/Nick Papantonis)

Suspect in girl’s disappearance taken to Osceola County Jail

Madeline Soto: Community to hold prayer vigil tonight Members of the community will gather to pray for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. (Unity & Fire Church International/Unity & Fire Church International)

Stephan Sterns & Madeline Soto Deputies in Orange County said 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been missing since Monday morning. And now, her mother’s boyfriend is in jail on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material. Stephan Sterns was supposed to go before an Orange County judge Thursday morning but refused to be in court. (OCSO)

Search continues for missing girl, Madeline Soto, as her mother’s boyfriend refuses to face judge

Law enforcement join the search for Madeline Soto More than 50 members of the Orange County Emergency Response Team looked for the 13-year-old in various areas as our detectives continued their investigation. (Orange County Sheriff's Office /Orange County Sheriff's Office)

Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)

Large search party gathers Wednesday to look for missing 13-year-old girl in Orange County

Orange County deputies search for missing 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto (Jennifer Soto /Jennifer Soto)

Madeline Soto The Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Friday confirmed that the body of Madeline Soto, 13, has been located. (Orange County Sheriff's Office/Orange County Sheriff's Office)

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