She stands at the front of the choir with her familiar warm smile and positive attitude towards her many students. As they sing the last note she puts her baton down and turns to the audience to take her final bow. The students tear up, and they clap for her.

Choir director Karen Bacus plans to retire this year after an 11-year career, leaving a long history and legend at Rider High School.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Mrs. Bacus said. “But I need more time with my family. This job is not just during the school day it’s also on weekends and after school. My husband is also retiring this year.”

Band director Loy Studer is sad to see Bacus go.

“The choir has its own legacy because of Mrs. Bacus,” Studer said. “Mrs. Bacus is awesome, and she is phenomenal at what she does.”

Junior Chris Gonzales is sad that he won’t have Bacus his senior year.

“She is a really cool director,” Gonzales said. “It kinda stinks because she is one of the best directors I’ve ever had.”

Senior Toby Deaver is glad Bacus is going to be a able to spend more time with her family, but is also sad to see her leave.

“I have mixed feelings about it,” Deaver said. “ The school won’t have her around next year, and when I visit the school she won’t be there. It’s kind of cool that my senior year was her last year directing. It feels really special. She’s had such a successful career directing, and she deserves to retire.”

Deaver is also glad Bacus will be retiring along with her husband.

“They’re going to have a blast traveling together and spending even more time with family,” Deaver said.

Expectations for the new director will be high, since they will be taking the place of a musical legend.

“I hope they would pick up where we left off, and take a step forward,” Mrs. Bacus said. “I also hope the students lend them their full support.”

Mr. Studer knows the new director will be able to help the choir be more amazing.

“I think the choirs’ success is dependent on their attitude,” Mr. Studer said. “Whoever is director will be good, the choir will still be fabulous, and they will still continue to build the program.”

Gonzales hopes for a new director with a wonderful personality similar to Mrs.Bacus’.

“I hope they are chill like she was,” Gonzales said. “And that they have the ability to direct as good as she did.

Choir students, teachers, and the rest of the student body will all remember the legacy Mrs. Bacus is leaving behind after teaching at Rider for 11 years being alumni.

“[Rider] has a lot of fond memories,” Mrs. Bacus said. “I have a better understanding of what it means to be a Raider, it’s more than just going to the school.”