A glimpse into my past
At 16, the Health Hut.
On November 19, 1980, the Duluth Herald published an article titled “Their mission: Provide healthy food.”
The story featured my family’s health food store and restaurant, the Health Hut, in Duluth, Minnesota. My parents, Jim and Josette Wahl, believed that helping people live healthier lives was more than a business—it was a way to serve their community.
And there I was, 16-year-old Rick Wahl, photographed enjoying a pita bread sandwich.
Looking at that photograph today brings back memories of a time when my understanding of the world was still taking shape. I did not realize how quickly my life was about to change.
A new chapter
At 17, the United States Navy.
In April 1981, I turned 17. Just four months later, in August, I joined the United States Navy.
That decision opened a world of experiences and responsibilities I could scarcely have imagined while sitting in my family’s restaurant.
During my Navy service, I had the opportunity to participate in humanitarian work rebuilding schools in Fiji following a devastating storm. I remember the smiles of the children. Different language, different culture, different circumstances—but the same hopes for a better future.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a meaningful life.
Education
My path was not a straight road.
My own educational journey was unconventional. My formal schooling ended after the sixth grade. Years later, at 26, I returned to college, eventually earning my bachelor’s degree.
I understand firsthand that education can transform the direction of a person’s life.
I later taught English and computer skills in South Korea, where I experienced the classroom from the other side—as an educator helping students develop confidence, knowledge, and opportunity.
These experiences taught me that learning does not end with a diploma. It is a lifelong process, shaped by curiosity, perseverance, and the people willing to help us along the way.
Through my children’s eyes
Parenting twins in San Carlos.
Today, I am the father of seven-year-old twins, Katherine and James, who attend first grade at Brittan Acres Elementary School here in San Carlos.
Whether I am volunteering in the school library, participating in campus beautification projects, or simply listening to other parents, I am reminded that our schools are much more than buildings. They are communities.
They are places where children discover their strengths, teachers help unlock potential, and families build relationships that can last a lifetime. And they are places where the decisions we make today will shape the opportunities available to our children tomorrow.
Why I’m running
Listen. Learn. Lead.
My decision to run for the San Carlos School District Governing Board grows out of these experiences. I believe in responsible stewardship of public resources, supporting our educators, listening to families, and making thoughtful decisions that put students first.
I do not pretend to have every answer. Instead, I believe in three principles:
Listen
To the people whose lives are affected by our decisions.
Learn
From educators, families, students, and the evidence before us.
Lead
With integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the long-term well-being of our schools.
A story that continues
From nothing to now.
Nearly 46 years have passed since that photograph appeared in the Duluth Herald.
At 16, I was part of a family working to improve people’s quality of life through healthier living. At 17, I began serving my country. As an adult, I discovered the transformative power of education. And today, as a father, neighbor, and candidate, I hope to bring those experiences together in service to our San Carlos school community.
The journey has not always been easy or conventional. But it has taught me something important:
Where we begin does not have to determine where we can go.
That is the opportunity I want every child in our district to have.