Pleasant Valley is mourning the loss of one of their own.

Chris Hixon, a 1986 graduate and athlete, was among those killed in the shootings Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Hixon was the athletic director at the school.

News sources close to Parkland state that Hixon was one of the first to be identified after a former student entered the school brandishing an AK-15 semi-automatic rifle and numerous magazines.

At Pleasant Valley, Hixon wrestled, played football, ran track, was involved in student government and, according to his yearbook bio, he apparently liked to flirt.

But even as a student, Hixon was more.

“I remember Chris well,” said former Pleasant Valley High School Principal John Gress. “He was one of those kids who really got involved in everything. Anything that needed to be done, he just jumped in and he did it.”

“Chris was a leader. I remember hearing that he went into the Navy, I can see that. That would be something that he would do. And I read that he was an athletic director and he would be a leader there as well.”

Middle school Principal Rocco Seiler knew him well.

“I came to PV midway through 10th grade. I was in a foster home. When I entered the wrestling room Chris was the first guy to give me something. He was someone to follow.”

Seiler added, “Chris always had your back. He wanted to succeed but he wanted those around him to succeed as well.”

The two reconnected on Facebook a few years ago, “But then like everyone we just moved on with life,” Seiler added.

Hixon also spent several years working at the Snydersville Diner in Snydersville where he worked as a dishwasher along with his younger brother, Ricky and sister, Natalie.

“It seemed like the whole family worked here,” said John Schwartz, a longtime employee of the dinner. “Chris was the oldest and just an all-around good kid. We used to work his schedule around his sports schedule.”

Schwartz says that Hixon never called off and was never late for work.

“He was just a great kid with a great personality.”

Schwartz says he last saw Hixon about 10 years ago when he visited the area.

“I believe that was about the time his mom moved to Florida to live near him,” Schwartz said. “He would stop in and visit if he was in the area. This is a real loss for the community down there in Florida and for those who knew him up here.”

Schwartz says that Hixon’s brother and sister moved from the area as well.

The news of the Hixon’s death shook the district.

“We heard about the shooting and it became an ongoing dialogue all afternoon,” said Matthew Triolo, Pleasant Valley High School principal. “Then we heard that one of those killed had attended PV and we were speechless.”

“I can see his young face then,” Gress said. “And I see a photo of him now, he looks different, but you can tell he is the same helper.”

Gress stressed that students and communication with the faculty is key.

“These kids are the eyes and ears of the school, they know what is going on,” Gress said. “They need to know that they can talk and share what they see, even if it turns out to be nothing.”

Hixon leaves behind a wife, Debbi and a son.