Sanford resident among those killed in Orlando

As more details begin to emerge on the victims of the tragic shootings in Orlando in the early-morning hours on June 12, locals learned that a 22-year-old Sanford resident was among those killed.
Luis Vielma, 22, played on a soccer team, six-on-six games at the Deltona Adult Soccer League and attended Seminole State College.
Vielma graduated Cum Laude in Summer 2014 with an Associate in Arts Degree. He was enrolled in a summer class and was working toward his Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) degree at the College’s Center for Public Safety.
Vielma, a Sanford resident, also worked on a Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios in Orlando. A group of friends, colleagues, and guests gathered for a moment of silence in Vielma’s honor on June 13 out front of a Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios in Orlando, according to Alyson Lundell, director of public relations at Universal Orlando Resort.
“We are deeply saddened over the loss of our team member,” Lundell stated. “We are working to support his friends and colleagues here at Universal Orlando. Our thoughts and prayers are with Luis, his family, and all the victims of this tragedy.”
Charlie Vance, president of the Deltona Adult Soccer League, said Vielma, a member of the league for roughly the past three years, played several positions, and most recently played for team “Rock.”
“He was a nice young man — funny, energetic, a very good soccer player,” Vance said. “He was very good to everyone.”
Vance said he and team members have taken the news hard. “It was like losing one of your own kids,” Vance said. “Everybody’s emotionally upset,” Vance said, adding that a moment of silence was held in Vielma’s honor on both June 13 and 14 prior to several games.
 The league is also collecting donations for Vielma’s immediate family members, Vance said.
At Seminole State, the Foundation for Seminole State College voted to establish the “Luis Vielma Memorial Scholarship.” The proceeds contributed will assist students in public safety and health care programs.
The Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College is dedicating its shows this weekend to Luis Vielma.
The free "Story of the Universe” shows will begin at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18.
The planetarium will open its doors 10 minutes prior to show time.   The planetarium can safely accommodate up to 75 visitors for each presentation, so please arrive early as admission is first-come, first-served.
Before and after each show, the Planetarium will be collecting donations (with the assistance of the Foundation for Seminole State College and the UNITY Gay-Straight Alliance) for the new Luis Vielma Memorial Scholarship. No donation is required to see any of the presentations.
Seminole State's Student Government Association (SGA) will gather on Monday, June 20 to establish a temporary Memorial Wall in the Student Center for the victims of the mass shooting.
The SGA is inviting students, faculty and staff to bring items for the Memorial Wall to the Student Center in Building C at 1 p.m. and then join in a group photo to show unified support to the victims, their families and friends, the LGBT community, the Hispanic Community, and all of Orlando.
Funeral services for Vielma will be held Saturday June 18 at 10 a.m. at All Souls Catholic Church, 3280 W. 1st St., Sanford. Family and friends can leave a special condolence for Luis at www.DeGusipeFuneralHome.com

Staff from the Sanford Herald and West Volusia Beacon contributed to this story.