Mr. Herman Rider was a great man, loved by all who ever knew him or spoke with him. In his annual back‑toschool speech in the fall, Mr. Rider would always conclude by explaining that his door was open to anybody who had problems or needed advice from him. It is rather difficult to imagine the vast range of problems he had to cope with over the thirteen years he served as principal of Maine West. Yet, he always kept his composure and had been recognized as "the man with the smile on his face." Herman Rider was sincerity in itself ‑ a person whom nobody could possibly have negative feelings toward. From all of us who knew you and had grown to love you, we will miss you dearly, Mr. Herman Rider.

Phil Vaccarello