VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – When 2nd Lt. Matthew Osgood graduated from Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training recently with Class 07-04, he found himself a comfortable member of a class of just 20 graduates. That class size is nearly as large as his high school class of 22 students.

The 2005 Air Force Academy graduate from Easton found himself one of a class of 1,290 upon entering the academy – a size slightly larger than Easton’s population of 1,249 – but has quickly established himself in an elite group of pilots.

“I was as well-equipped as any of my fellow students for the challenges we faced at the Academy,” Osgood said. “We had a diverse curriculum at Easton High that kept us busy focusing on the big picture, and that certainly was a benefit to me.”

The students’ willingness to participate in a variety of activities makes success possible for a small school system, according to Frank Keenan, superintendent of schools for the Easton School Department.

“When there’s a small student population, it takes everyone’s involvement in order for individual programs to work,” Keenan said. “Matt is a perfect example of that. He played on all the sports teams, was with the band, chorus and jazz choir, as well as being on the student council and member of the National Honor Society. His success with the Air Force speaks well of our school department.”

Osgood said he has dreamed of being a pilot as long as he can remember. The desire was fueled when his father took him and his brother to air shows at Brunswick Naval Air Station and across the border in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

He will report to his first operational assignment as a C-17 pilot at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The aircraft and base were his first choices and the result of his class standing.

“He was one of our top students,” said his flight commander, Capt. Zach Brady, 32nd Flying Training Squadron, M Flight. “He is a solid, well-rounded individual who did real well in training.”

In fact, Osgood finished in the top three in his class.

Frank McIntyre is a public affairs officer at Vance Air Force Base and a former BDN reporter.