After four impactful years at Irvington High School, Principal Hicks is officially retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. As the school prepares for a new chapter under new leadership, the Irvington community takes a moment to reflect upon Mr. Hicks’s term. David Martinez, a former Irvington teacher and a Vice Principal at Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, will be joining the Irvington community as the next principal.
For Mr. Hicks, the path to becoming principal of Irvington began with over a decade of service at Thornton Middle School. While he fondly remembers his 15 years there, he said the transition to high school was a refreshing and exciting shift. Watching students evolve into young adults as they prepare for college, achieve academic excellence, and remain community-oriented was the definitive highlight of his term. “I love middle school too, but I really, really, like high school and I love this age group, so I will miss the students more than anything.”
Throughout his time as principal, Mr. Hicks remained a vocal supporter and admirer of the diverse talent found within Irvington’s student body. “Most people in education tell you their favorite part of education is working with the students, helping to guide them, and molding their futures to help them achieve their goals. That would be my highlight, too. I’m amazed when I see the acceptances, where students are going to college every year.”
Whether it be the showmanship of the marching band, the innovation displayed at the engineering showcase, or the visual arts programs, Mr. Hicks noted that he was consistently impressed by the caliber of student work. “The talent level at Irvington is amazing, all across the board. ”
Specifically, he highlighted the QUEST project, an Irvington-specific benchmark project, for placing students ahead of their peers in university settings.
As he prepares for retirement, Principal Hicks’ parting advice to students was centered on wellness, rather than just GPAs or APs. One of his primary goals had been to address the rising levels of student stress.
“My goal for the students is not just to take so many AP classes and stress themselves out. Enjoy high school. Find balance,” he said. While academic strength remains a hallmark of Irvington, he emphasized that mental health must remain a priority, a sentiment he is confident Mr. Martinez will carry forward.
While Mr. Martinez may be a new presence as principal, he is not a stranger to the hallways of Irvington. Returning after a few years away, Mr. Martinez previously served as a teacher and advisor, notably leading Irvington’s “We the People” team, a club dedicated to educating students on government-related topics, to the national stage, post pandemic.
While Principal Hicks may be stepping down from his current role, he plans to remain active within the education community. His retirement plan includes educational consulting to provide his experience to firms, administrative subbing after a mandatory 6-week break, and taking some time to travel the world. “I hope to stay involved with school, however, not on the administrative side. I will be back and hopefully in six, seven months I’m retiring from the school system, but I’m not going to just go sit in a recliner somewhere. I need to stay busy and I want to stay involved with the school.”
In a full-circle conclusion to his career, Principal Hicks will oversee the graduation of the Class of 2026, the very same class that entered Irvington as freshmen during his first year as principal.
“It’s a cherry on top to be able to have my final graduation be with the Class of 2026,” Mr. Hicks reflected. While his presence in the main office may be missed, his influence on the culture of Irvington High School will undoubtedly remain for years to come.
