Manchester Township High School alumni Ryan Sogness ‘20 ceremoniously took his Oath of Office on 27 March 2025, to the United States Space Force.

The service and signing took place at Manchester Township High School’s auditorium. Lieutenant Commander John Holzer swore Sogness in as Second Lieutenant Ryan Sogness. The ceremony concluded with Sogness’s official speech and signing, marking the beginning of a new adventure. And by 10:06 a.m., Sogness established history as the first Manchester Township High School graduate to join the U.S. Space Force and the first Commission Officer.

In his remarks to the crowd, Sogness expressed his gratitude to Manchester Township High School and Lt. Holzer, remembering fondly what it felt like to be a senior getting ready to embark on his collegiate journey. To later, being a first-year college student, stepping into a T-30 for the first time, prior to knowing where his road would later take him. Embarking on his journey into the U.S. Space Force, Sogness left that morning to his first on-duty station in Colorado. 

The Manchester Township High School community wishes Second Lt. Ryan Sogness the best on his journey. Looking at a young and ambitious Hawk, others can see the multiple  possibilities and redirections life has to offer. At heart, the Hawk’s Nest is always a place to circle back to for reflection and growth no matter how far we might venture.