Pleasant Valley fitness center dedicated to Chris Hixon

Members of the Pleasant Valley community gathered Monday to honor a man who sacrificed himself for students.

The new fitness center in the John C. Mills wing of the high school was dedicated to the late 1986 graduate Chris Hixon.

Hixon was killed during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, 2018. He had served as an athletic director and coach in Broward County for more than 20 years, and on that fateful day he ran toward the sound of gunfire when others took cover.

Pleasant Valley High School Principal Matt Triolo said Hixon, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, reacted to the gunfire by jumping onto his golf cart and heading toward the sound to bring students to safety. Hixon encountered the gunman, was shot multiple times, but yet stood guard, with his radio in hand until police arrived on the scene.

Members of Hixon’s family were on hand for the dedication. His mother, Toni, and father, Russel, were joined by Chris’ brother Richard.

Richard told of the appropriateness of a fitness center being named after Chris.

“When I visited Marjory Stoneman after the shooting I went with the superintendent to Chris’ office to collect his belongings,” Hixon said. “The superintendent pointed out a new fitness center along the way and said ‘Do you know what that is?’ ”

Hixon went on to explain that he was told that his brother had fundraised, designed and just recently opened the fitness center in the school.

“In sports we think about the winning,” he added. “But it’s the practice, the hard work, it’s all about that one time when you do something really great. It is the perfect place to have Chris remembered at the PV weight room.”

Members of Hixon’s graduating class were on hand as well. Tim Schroder thanked Hixon’s family and told how even though he transferred from rival school Pocono Mountain, Chris welcomed him and made friends with him.

According to Hixon’s mother, Chris was always a hero.

“He cared about the kids and was always bringing someone home or feeding someone,” Toni Hixon said. “Chris was always there to listen or a shoulder to cry on. He was a good son.”

Hixon’s father explained why Chris’ wife Debbie wasn’t present.

“She has been awarding scholarships in Chris’ name this week to seniors at the three high schools in Broward County,” Russell Hixon said. “There was a tremendous outpouring after Chris died, and they held a 5K race in February and raised $40,000 for the scholarship fund.”

Hixon said that each of the scholarships is for $2,500.

Hixon was an athlete at Pleasant Valley where he competed in football, wrestling and track. He was an honor roll student, Varsity Club president, a member of mock trial and a member of the student senate.

Chris was the recipient of the first Pleasant Valley Spirit Award for having the most spirit and dedication to Pleasant Valley.

“Being a high school principal, my mother asks me at least once a year what I would do if I found myself in the same situation,” said Triolo. “This year I answered that I could only hope that I could be as brave as Chris was.”

The dedication was the idea of former middle school Principal Rocco Seiler and current teacher Laura Anglemyer, both who were classmates of Hixon at Pleasant Valley. Anglemyer spoke to those present.

“Anyone who knew Chris could see that his life was all about giving,” she said. “Hopefully he inspires others to give back as he did.”

See the video of the presentation on the Times News Lehighton Facebook page.