Dwayne and Angel Long are both first generation college graduates. Angel remembers the challenges they encountered. “Dwayne and I both joined the Air Force in part to finance our education goals,” but it wasn’t easy. She adds, “We worked extremely hard to finance each of our education goals.”
Dwayne obtained a master’s degree while still serving in the military. Angel’s education journey took longer. Balancing her studies with the needs of three children, she ultimately earned bachelor’s degrees in English Literature and English Pedagogy. Her studies are ongoing. Angel is currently beginning a master’s program in English Literature.
The Longs moved to Southside Virginia seven years ago when Dwayne accepted a position at the Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative. He now serves as MEC’s Vice President of Information Technology and as Chief Technical Officer for Empower Broadband, MEC’s broadband subsidiary. Angel teaches English at Mecklenburg County High School.
As parents, the Longs made it a priority to convey their education values and love of learning to their children. They were intrigued by the reputation of the Governor’s School of Southside Virginia (GSSV) offered on Southside Virginia Community College’s two campuses. When their oldest son Cameron was eligible, they encouraged him to apply.
According to his mother, Cameron was hesitant at first. “He was under the impression he would not be able to have a full high school experience attending Governor’s School,” she says. “He soon realized the opposite was the case. He met so many new people, including teachers and students from surrounding counties. He thought his world would get smaller because all he would do was study. In reality, his world got much bigger because of all the new experiences and opportunities he was afforded.”
His brother Benjamin followed him, although due to a restructuring in the Mecklenburg school system, the younger boy attended at a different campus. Angel notes, “Ben knew what to expect because he saw what his older brother experienced. He embraced the idea from the beginning and never looked back.”
As math and science enthusiasts, both boys were poised to benefit from the challenges presented through the Governor’s School STEM program. In addition to their class work, Cameron and Benjamin also had to learn to prioritize the demands of the Governor’s School, the requirements of their regular schools, their social calendars, and their work responsibilities. Angel notes, “It has been a constant balancing act that they have both gotten quite good it.”
Cameron, now a first-year engineering student at the University of Virginia, is a proud member of a Virginia Motorsport formula team that is designing the suspension system for an all-electric car. Someday, he hopes to start his own engineering firm.
Benjamin is already making plans to transfer to a four-year university following his graduation from SVCC and Mecklenburg County High School. Building on a strong physics background, his ultimate goal is to complete a bachelor’s degree and then pursue a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.
The Longs’ youngest child, Alivia, is just beginning her high school journey. With a number of varied interests, including psychology, she plans to explore the numerous opportunities that await.
Dwayne and Angel emphasize the importance of establishing a family tradition grounded in education and characterized by diligent work. “Our main goal as parents is to provide our children with the best educational opportunities possible and to teach our children to be good citizens,” Angel says. “We want them to embrace all that comes with being successful college graduates.”