Rider celebrates the end of an era with school closing ceremony.

It is the end of an era as Rider High School closes its doors this May after 63 years.

To commemorate this, a school closing ceremony was held on Thursday.

"Rider has and will always be about great people, and that's especially true about our faculty and staff, who've served for over six decades," Dr. Cody Blair, Rider High School Principal, said.

Hundreds of alumni, families, friends, faculty and staff were in attendance.

The Rider band performed the alma mater as alumni and students locked hands and sang along. The Rider choir also gave a farewell performance. Blair then spoke on the many accomplishments to come out of school.

Marty McBride, Rider Class of 1981, said Raiders lead in the fields of medicine and law and are champions in business, the military, music and education.

"To all you Rider Raiders out there, wherever you may be, stay proud that you're a Raider, keep impacting the world around you, do great things and always ride on honorable ones," McBride said.

It was a bittersweet moment for many, but the heartfelt memories and relationships will be forever.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Rider hosts school closing ceremony