It is unlikely Shannon Clement included “proficient in swordplay” on her resume when she applied for her first job at Michael Saunders & Company. As Corporate Administrative Assistant, her stage combat skills with a blade (to the best of our knowledge) are not called for when handling employee vacation requests and scheduling orientations with new agents. There's a better chance that her sharp intellect and unyielding work ethic have kept her a part of the MSC team - starting in a temporary position with the Marketing Department before becoming receptionist at Main Street, and then finally, in her role at the Corporate headquarters.
The Lady Shannon
Fortunately for us, Shannon unsheathed her past to answer our “23 About Me”. From her experience with the Medieval Fair, the admiration she feels for her sister (wait till you see why!), and her love of the countryside, we were happy to shed more light on the Lady of 100 North Washington. Choose one: country estate, city penthouse or beachfront living? Country Estate. Preferably with some grand colonial styled home and tons of antiques and a porch I can sit on and appreciate the day with! What is your favorite ice cream? Do I have to choose one? My go to is usually a scoop of chocolate with a scoop of cookies n’ cream. But I’ll also not scoff at dulce de leche, dark chocolate raspberry, strawberry, chocolate chip, banana, moose tracks, peach…..see what I mean? Favorite cuisine? I am Italian by osmosis and most of my young life was brought up having traditional Italian dinners at my grandparent’s house. To this day it’s my comfort food. What is the last book you read? Currently reading Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Had no idea there were local tie in’s to it when I picked it up! (The main character grows up in Englewood and his family has “one of the largest pharmacy” chains in Florida with their central offices in Tampa.) How did you first find your way to this area? The medieval fair at The Ringling. There was a huge rivalry between the show here and our renaissance fair in Largo even though they were operated by the same company.
We're convinced!
Do you have a special talent? I can swing swords at people and make it look really convincing! Performing though would be it – singing, acting, staged combat. That was my joy. How did you spend your childhood summers? Running around with friends, riding our bikes and exploring. If we weren’t outside, we were watching movies, listening to music and scouring MTV to learn the dances to the songs we loved. If you could vacation anywhere in the world where would it be? Ireland/Scotland for sure. I’ll get there before I die. I’d also like to go to Armenia, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Transylvania, Romania, and Hungary. A few months just roaming Europe would be lovely. What living person do you most admire? My sister – both of her children are special needs (one is autistic and the other has a condition known as Ring 20 Syndrome which affects fewer than 100 people currently known to medical professionals worldwide). She has worked upwards of three jobs while attending school to become a physical therapist to help her boys and continues to not only provide for them, but volunteers as well at their prior remedial school to help out other families going through similar hardships. All this with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. What is your greatest extravagance? My creativity. It gets me in hot water some times because all of the ideas I have for things to work on cost money and space. I’m working on not prioritizing supplies over taking care of me. What do you love about working with Michael Saunders & Company? The support and overall feeling that as employees, we’re truly appreciated. Too many companies have lost sight of what a commodity employees are and take it for granted when they have good, hard workers on staff. Longevity is a rarity and it’s wonderful to see that here. What restaurant do you go to more than any other? I enjoy Bangkok Restaurant off of Swift for something different. Their curry chicken is so yummy! What is your favorite Broadway musical? Les Miserables. Growing up I had this dream of playing Eponine on Broadway. I Dreamed a Dream was the first solo ever chosen for me to sing when I was in the 6th grade. That show will always have a special place in my heart. What is the prettiest place you have been locally? An old friend of mine owns a farm out off of Verna (Sarasota East of I-75). Out there, under a night sky when it’s clear you see all the stars and it’s quiet except for the occasional sounds of the horses in the stable. The view is just gorgeous. 
When you have friends visit from out of town, where do you take them? Ca d’Zan, Spanish Point, and The Circle.
Ca' d'Zan at The Ringling
What do you like to cook? I prefer to bake over cooking, but since I’m limited in space for preparing food – I like to experiment with either crock pot dishes or things I can make in just a pan or two or with the oven. Last Christmas we had this goal of a more traditional meal so it was bacon wrapped pheasant with fig pudding for dessert! What is your favorite TV show? I currently watch a number of things. Game of Thrones is up there, as is American Horror Story (so excited about Hotel!), Downton Abbey, Sleepy Hollow, Blindspot. If it’s got sword wielding in it I’ll at least check it out; period stuff included. What did you want to be when you were little? When you look through the school book my mom kept for me a few things popped up every year – mother, author, and singer. I think I wanted to be an archaeologist and a historian at some point too. What is your most treasured possession? My grandfather’s pocket knife/wallet clip and my great-aunt’s amethyst ring. I keep both in a special trinket box for precious items. Have you had the chance to work with Shannon? Anything surprise you about her? Let us know in the comments!
