Family of Robert Bush accepts high school diploma for teen who collapsed while doing conditioning drills
The family of student Robert Bush accept a posthumous diploma at Newfield High School graduation in Selden on Thursday. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Robert Bush’s family finished his walk through graduation Thursday night to accept his honorary diploma.
Before the names of the Class of 2024 were read, Newfield High School held a moment of silence to remember Bush, a 17-year-old who collapsed last July while doing conditioning drills on the high school's field.
His family, led by his father Robert N. Bush, who was pushed in a wheelchair, accepted the diploma wearing red T-shirts saying “Prove them Wrong,” Robert's slogan.
“We want to remember one student didn’t have the opportunity to experience and enjoy his senior year,” Assistant Principal Salvatore Merenda said during the ceremony. “Robert Bush was one of the kindest students. We learned Robert loved hugs, so for today and moving forward, spread Robert's energy, give someone a hug and spread some kindness.”
Robert suffered what was described at the time as a “cardiac event.” He lost oxygen to his brain for about 45 minutes and was on life support for several days until he was declared dead. His donated organs saved the lives of three people.
“It means a lot. This was a tremendous tragedy that happened to our family and this is one of the hardest days,” Robert’s brother Chris Bush said before the ceremony. “Robert was looking forward to this and accomplished a lot in his lifetime. His life was taken at a young age.”
Undated photo Robert Bush, the Newfield High School football player who died after having a cardiac episode at the school on July 3, 2023. Credit: Courtesy Bush Family
Chris Bush said Robert had been bulking up and preparing for his senior year on the varsity football team. His family lamented that Robert missed out on his senior year, prom and graduation.
“This will bring back a lot of memories and it’s hard on the whole family, but we get through it like he always do it,” Chris Bush said. “He was waiting for this day and two days before he died, he said he can’t believe he was going to be 18 and graduating this year. It’s a big day in your life and he’s not going to be able to be here to do it.”
The Suffolk County Public Administrator, on behalf of Bush’s estate, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Middle Country Central School District and Newfield High School. The lawsuit alleges that coaches delayed in performing CPR for nearly three minutes and it took staff about six minutes before administering a defibrillator, which was not on the field.
Attorneys for the school district responded to the suit this week, denying allegations of negligence and moving for it to be dismissed.
Robert was adopted and was one of 10 siblings between the ages of 16 to 56. Eight of his family members attended the graduation ceremony. The posthumous diploma is allowed under a new state ruling allowing such diplomas for students who were enrolled in the district.
The family accepted Robert’s diploma on the same field where he collapsed nearly a year ago. They said they hoped to receive Robert’s cap and gown.
Robert M. Bush, father of student Robert Bush, recieves a posthumous diploma on Robert's behalf at Newfield High School graduation in Selden on Thursday. Credit: Morgan Campbell
“It’s rough. It hurts to know we’re within a few feet from where it happened,” said his cousin Tiffanie Grabowski. “This was something he was looking forward to. He had big goals in life and wanted to be an entrepreneur.”
Newfield High School Principal Scott Graviano said Thursday’s graduation marked the end of an emotional year for the school and the Selden community. Bush was known as “the quiet kid who always did the right thing,” he said. “We want to make sure Robert’s memory is at the forefront for the class, staff, coaches and family.”
Joe Mercado, director of physical education, health and athletics at Newfield, said the hardest part of the day Thursday was Robert's absence.
“When they hand the diploma to his family, it should be him,” Mercado said, “and we should be thinking about the great things that he's going to accomplish in his life and unfortunately, we're not able to.”
The scoreboard on the football field read a score of 51-51 to signify Robert’s jersey number retired by the school. Robert’s name will be dedicated on a plaque on the field next year along with the name of another student who previously died.
There are still signs throughout the community to remember Bush, including red ribbons and signs of No. 51, said Middle Country Central School District Board Member John DeBenedetto.
“It was hard for these classmates to lose a fellow classmate and they rallied to support each other,” DeBenedetto said. “Robert will be a Wolverine for life.”
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.