Monday evening, four very special little girls were recognized before the Lincoln City Council.

The first three won accolades for their artistic talents as winners of the city's annual Arbor Day Picture Contest.

First-place winner Cassidy Paquett, second-place winner Kadie Carlson and third-place winner Makayla Anderson are all second-grade students at Northwest School in Lincoln.

Next up was Abigail Vannoy. Abigail was recognized for her bravery and quick, calm reaction to an emergency situation in February. When she awoke during the night to the sound of her home's smoke alarm going off, she quickly worked to wake her parents and used what she knew from fire prevention classes to assist in getting her family to safety.

Abigail was recently awarded the Bronze Cross by Girl Scouts of America as a result of her actions, and Monday evening she received additional accolades from the Lincoln Fire Department.

The Bronze Cross is a rare award given out to Scouts who have actually saved a life. In Illinois only two such awards have been given out recently.

[By NILA SMITH]

From the left, Cassidy Paquett, Kadie Carlson and Makayla Anderson show off their prize-winning artwork.
 

Russell Wright, assistant street superintendent, hands out envelopes filled with gift cards and other prizes.
 

The girls also received basketballs, courtesy of Lincoln D.A.R.E.

Several proud parents showed up to see all four girls being recognized by the council. In the second row are Abigail Vannoy; her parents, Lance and Natalie Viner; and her little sister, Mahyla.

Abigail Vannoy is recognized for saving her family's lives when their home caught fire in February.

Abigail is given a gift from her alderwoman, Joni Tibbs, while Mayor Keith Snyder smiles in the background.