2021 Decade Award

The decade award is intended for someone who can serve as inspiration to other young alumnae because of her outstanding achievements, representing global consciousness and community in her chosen profession. It’s hard to imagine someone who fits that description more than Shannon Preston ’11 – and she’s not just inspiring young alumnae from Saint Ben’s. She’s inspiring people from all over the world.

An ordained Episcopal priest, Shannon serves as Chaplain at the Community of St. Anselm in London, a program founded by the current Archbishop of Canterbury where young people can spend a year experiencing monastic life. People from all different Christian backgrounds, all professions and all walks of life are drawn in by this unique opportunity. Shannon herself was once one of them. She spent a year in immersion at St. Anselm and is now finishing up her second year in a leadership role. Shannon says she sought out St. Anselm when searching for the spiritual richness she experienced at Saint Ben’s, where she – having grown up Episcopal but never previously studied the Bible – fell in love with theology and developed a strong relationship with the sisters.

Today, Shannon relishes the opportunity to provide guidance and support as community members pray, volunteer and discuss difficult topics together. Given the community members’ different faith traditions and backgrounds, “At the end of it all, we may not see eye to eye but we choose to love each other,” says Shannon. An inspiration, indeed.