East Quogue principal Robert Long was a well-known citizen all across East Quogue. Nothing meant more to him than his family at home and his family at East Quogue Elementary School. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2022 due to colon cancer, and because of this, a scholarship was created in his name.
The scholarship goes to both a graduating senior who attended and graduated from East Quogue Elementary School as well as a graduating sixth grader each year in memory of Robert Long.
Mr. Long was kind, creative, and an understanding individual. He began administrative work at East Quogue on October 16, 2000, as principal and ultimately took over as superintendent/principal in 2015.
This year the graduating senior from WHB who received this award was William Jankowski. Will says, “I am very honored to be the one to receive this scholarship because I know many others in my class are very qualified individuals and to be chosen makes me reaffirm my confidence in my future.”
Will says that he has looked up to Robert Long since elementary school. He saw him as a role model as well as many other students. Will says, “He was involved in everyone’s life in the best way possible, he was kind and understanding.”
The scholarship, worth $10,000, was created by the East Quogue Board of Education. The “Mister Long See You Out There 5K” raises money for the scholarship. This 5k is named after Mr. Long’s phrase during announcements every day.
Will says, “From what I have talked about with teachers at EQ my character during elementary school plus my ambitions for the future was a big reason for my being chosen.”
The graduating sixth graders will be announced at their graduation ceremony on June 18th.
To know Mr. Long was to love him.
See You Out There!
