Celebrating Alumni Stories: Janelle Cunalata ’02

In 2022, EMS will celebrate Janelle Zook Cunalata ’02, Carl Stauffer ’82, and Ethan Zook ’72 during Homecoming activities, Oct. 14 and 15. We celebrate alumni stories to hear each others’ journeys since high school and to be inspired by lives of service, professional contributions, Christian commitment, and community engagement. 

Janelle Zook Cunalata ‘02

Janelle Zook Cunalata is a member of the American Society for Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association (PMEA) and The National Association for Music Education (MENC). She currently teaches music at Hinkletown (Pa.) Mennonite School. Here are her responses to a few questions about her time with EMHS and professional journey. You can hear many of her arrangements on YouTube.

Q: What years did you attend EMS? What “brought” you to the school? How was it?

I attended EMHS for my junior and senior years of high school from 2000 to 2002.  Previously I had attended Lancaster Mennonite School.  We moved to the EMHS area the summer before my 11th grade year so that my parents could attend Eastern Mennonite Seminary.  I’m so grateful God paved the way for me before I even knew I would be switching schools by giving me an excitement and curiosity in my heart for meeting new friends and new environments.  While at EMHS, God provided me with friendships beyond my expectations and a supportive learning community that I truly enjoyed.

Q. How did you get involved in the music field?

Q. Any aspect of EMHS that served you well? Anything that was hard?

As I mentioned before, I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the music program at EMHS and so appreciated the fact that they allowed me to get my feet wet in different areas of music even if I was new to that area of music or not as skilled.  Mr. Hartzler led by example as a teacher, musician, and follower of Jesus in our daily classes, church visits and exciting tour to Eastern Europe.  I so appreciated sharing Jesus and worshipping Jesus through music, and it served as a stepping stone to me for sharing and worshipping Jesus through playing instrumental music on my oboe.  I also think that our class size and its welcoming nature helped me feel welcome as a new student my junior year.  I also had the one and only chance in my life to have the joy of walking to school during my two years at EHMS, something I still remember fondly.  Participation in gym classes and athletics was another highlight of my two years at EMHS.   I also have fond memories of Spanish class, Spanish club and the Bible Classes at EMHS, particularly reading the “Upside Down Kingdom” book and learning about world religions.

Q. Involvements that have given you joy in addition to professional work?

My husband, Franklin, and our two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily, and I, love to host people at our home in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, spending time outside together while eating and conversing.  We also love to travel together and explore different cultures and new territory by car, boat, and on foot!  At home, I enjoy gardening, walking, and sitting by any body of water.

Q. Any words to the EMHS of today? Hopes for the school today and going forward?

I hope the school continues to foster a welcoming environment where students with all kinds of different backgrounds and interests can find a learning community that they can call “home.”  I hope the school continues to foster an environment where everyone, regardless of talent or experience, can experiment with different musical groups, ensembles and classes and find the beauty of prayer and worship through music and be bold and brave and take the time and effort to share their songs with others.  And finally, I hope that the EMHS community continues to be a place where prayer erupts like a fountain frequently throughout the school day in conversation and in class, remembering that Jesus is our ever-present peace, love and joy.