Pleasant Valley hosts memorial for Fla. shooting victim

A celebration of the life of Chris Hixon, 1986 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the new auditorium of the Pleasant Valley High School.

Many people have come to know Hixon as the athletic director who was killed as he raced toward the sound of gunfire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

But according to his old friend and classmate, Rocco Seiler, Chris Hixon was so much more.

“Chris always had your back,” said Seiler, Pleasant Valley Middle School principal shortly after Hixon’s death. “He wanted to succeed, but he wanted those around him to succeed as well.”

Seiler said when he was new to Pleasant Valley, Hixon took him under his wing and befriended him. The two reconnected on Facebook a few years ago.

“Chris’ family, friends and the public will be in attendance to remember a great classmate and human being,” Seiler said.

The shooting in Parkland took place on Feb. 14. On the one month anniversary of the shooting at 10 a.m., students throughout the United States took part in a walkout to protest gun violence and school shootings.

Pleasant Valley high school student government opted to hold a memorial gathering instead. Students who chose to participate were invited to meet in the school’s rear parking lot and recite the names of those killed. Seiler was present to announce the name of his old friend.

A handful of Pleasant Valley students also took part in the 10 a.m. walkout.

Seiler said that everyone is welcome to join in the celebration of Hixon’s life.