Noreen Kepple, who is in her 30th year as the preschool director at the Stonington Community Center, was among a distinguished list of people who were awarded the St. Edmund's Medal for Service to the Church and Community Friday night during a dinner at the Mystic Marriott.

Also receiving the honor were The Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, archbishop emeritus, Archdiocese of Hartford; Ambassador Raymond L. Flynn, the former mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican; the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, the president of Fairfield University; James E. Baron, the head coach of the University of Rhode Island men's basketball team.

The award was established by St. Edmund's Retreat in Mystic to recognize individuals who exhibit the values and spirit of St. Edmund, archbishop of Canterbury.

"I was totally surprised and very humbled by the award," Kepple said. "It hit me that night, when I was in the company of these esteemed people, how important this award is."

-Joe Wojtas