EA ICONS
A Celebration of Retiring Faculty and Staff By Courtney Brinkerhoff-Rau
John Powell ’70 1982 – 2016
Janet Cusack, Hon. 1989-2016
Wallace Branche, Hon. 2002-2016
For the past 34 years, John Powell has served as a teacher, coach, advisor, and mentor to generations of EA students and faculty. He has led the planning and procession for countless commencement ceremonies and counseled students through musicals, acapella groups, and the Chapel choir. An incredibly memorable “Scrooge” in the annual performance in Chapel, John has touched many lives throughout his time at EA.
For the last 28 years, art teacher Janet Cusack has worked with and inspired EA’s young art students in the Lower School. In the fall, she decided it was time for a transition and announced her plans to retire from Episcopal at the end of the school year.
There are not many people who can say they have worked for 72 years. Wallace Branche turned 80 in June and has been working since he was eight years old. Affectionately known as “Mr. Wallace,” he has spent the last 14 years working in the Lower School Dining Hall.
Janet joined our community as a teacher’s assistant in Kindergarten on the Merion campus. The following year, her position grew into a full-time job in the Lower School Art Department.
Wallace will be remembered for his easygoing, friendly, and helpful demeanor with students and faculty. He began working at EA after hearing about the opening from his friend and eventual dining hall co-worker, Eddie Overton. Wallace has also worked for the Philadelphia Phillies for the last 20 years.
While John humbly requested no celebration of his retirement, this edition of EA Icons would be incomplete without noting John’s longstanding dedication and commitment to EA. According to Steve Morris, Head of Middle School, “Mr. Powell embodies Episcopal’s traditions and exudes a level of decorum unmatched by any other. Underneath his impeccable and polished exterior is an individual with a huge heart who wants the best for everyone. He never sacrifices on his standards, he pushes his students to reach their best. He has inspired many.”
6 // CONNECTIONS
All three of Janet’s sons, Thomas ’12, PJ ’13, and Chris ’15, were “lifers” at EA. She says she “feels blessed to have spent so many years as part of the EA community with wonderful students, families, and colleagues.” Janet plans to travel with her husband, spend time with her boys, and “do lots of yoga” as she moves into a new phase of life. “Art and EA will always be a big part of my life. I don’t believe I will ever truly leave EA.”
Wallace looks forward to taking some vacations and spending time with his five grandchildren during his retirement.