The reality of what she did one unforgettable February day finally hit her. "I'm actually happy that I did something that saved my family," said the 14-year-old girl. "My family is still here today." Indeed, her quick thinking and actions helped avert a serious tragedy by alerting family members to exit their burning house. Last Thursday, March 5, Proctor was recognized by the Wright City Fire Protection District for using the lessons she learned at various fire prevention safety programs. She received a framed Citizens Award plaque from the firefighters and a Wildcat Hero Award from Middle School Principal Holly Redman at a small ceremony held in the school commons. The fire occurred on the afternoon of Feb. 21 in the 200 block of Southwest Avenue in a house rented by Cassandra's family. She and her brother were in a bedroom watching television when they began smelling smoke coming from a second room across the hallway. When Cassandra opened the door to the bedroom, she immediately saw flames. From there, she closed the door and told her brother to run downstairs and leave. She then alerted her parents and her remaining five siblings to the fire. "I was not calm, but I was thinking about my family," Cassandra said. By the time the family exited, the house was filled with smoke. "I am so proud of her," said Cassandra's mother, Colette Proctor. "All the steps she did helped get all of our kids out safely. We had a 1-year-old baby sleeping. Everything she did, she did right." The rented house was a complete loss, as the fire destroyed the back portion entirely and the bottom floor suffered heavy water and smoke damage. Firefighters were on the scene for about six hours. Wright City Fire Chief Brian Nickerson said by Cassandra shutting the door to the bedroom it prevented the fire from spreading twice as fast and possibly trapping a family member. "It had everything to do making our job a little easier," Nickerson said. "Just having that door closed buys you another 15 minutes. That makes a difference." Fire Marshal Todd VanZuyen said he remembers seeing Cassandra at the numerous fire safety functions held by the fire department each year. The department has a safety trailer and nearly every student in the school district at one point during the year will participate in a simulation, Nickerson noted. Currently, the fire department spends nearly two hours every week at the school. Cassandra's mother said the family lost nearly everything in the blaze, include videotapes and other keepsakes of Cassandra's biological father, who died four years ago. Since last month's fire, the family has relocated to O'Fallon where Colette Proctor's sister lives. It also means an adjustment for Cassandra and her siblings, who must now get acclimated to new surroundings and new classmates. "Emotionally, it's been pretty hard," Colette Proctor admitted. "It's been a devastating thing, (but) we're hanging in there. We're glad we have each other." And that is not lost on Cassandra. For now, her new room will be a perfect spot to show off her two well-earned awards. "I got actually everything I need," she said. "I have my family and I'm back on my feet. That is all I have and that is all I wanted."