News
News

7th grader recognized for heroics

By Nancy Badertscher
Sept 28, 2013

Lily Massey, a seventh grader at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, has been honored for her act of heroism during a house fire by firefighters from the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Station 8 and Station 1 and her principal, Jim Lee. On June 24, Lily, age 12, awoke to the sound of a smoke detector and the smell of smoke. She alerted her parents, and everyone was able to escape the house without injury. The house was a total loss. At a school assembly, Lily was presented one of the fire department’s highest awards, the Life Saving Award for her act of heroism. In addition, Lee gave Lily the IHM Hero Award for her quick actions and calm thinking.

About the Author

Nancy Badertscher
More Stories

Keep Reading

Blue heron are just one of the hundreds of kinds of animals and plants that call the Okefenokee Swamp home. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Is the Okefenokee World Heritage material? Scientists are trying to find out.

International scientists visited the Okefenokee Swamp to help determine whether the refuge inside it belongs on the prestigious World Heritage List.

Ex-PSC candidate took notebook of Georgia Power trade secrets, police say

A warrant alleges former Public Service Commission candidate Patty Durand placed a booklet of Georgia Power trade secret information into her purse and left a hearing room.

The Latest

The housing model in Atlanta has drawn praise, but there are questions about whether it reaches those who need it most.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

A.M. ATL: Very Dickensian

A.M. ATL: For I was hungry

A.M. ATL: New mystery project

Featured

Peggy Harris (foreground) stocks the shelves at Sandy's IGA, which is the only grocery store in town, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Sparta. Hancock County has one of the highest rates of childhood food insecurity in the country. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Despite a $14.6 billion surplus, state leaders say they can’t bail out SNAP

The federal government says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will run out of money Nov. 1. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says there is nothing the state can do.

Husband of child services director fled DUI crash with kids in truck, GSP says

Authorities say the husband of Georgia's child protective services director had a blood alcohol level 4 times the legal limit when he left a crash with two kids in his truck.

Kirby Smart: LSU coaches ‘borrow’ offices, adds context to Brian Kelly firing

Georgia coach Kirby Smart understands the pressure at LSU, and how that combined with playoff expectations led to Brian Kelly being fired despite a .708 win percentage.