The road to success for Carrie Richards, a 1993 Area Learning Center* student and Apollo High School graduate, began in high school but did not follow a traditional path. Richards recognized in tenth grade she needed something different academically than what she experienced at Apollo, and she felt the alternative school [ALC] was the answer. It turned out she was right.
“My parents had an eighth grade education,” explains Richards. “So, by the time I was in tenth grade, I had no help at home. I was struggling in math and a lot of my classes at Apollo. I [also] needed to get out and work so I could feed myself and my family. I thought my only chance was at Area [ALC] where I could be taught in a smaller classroom and continue to move forward.”
Richards benefited not only from smaller class sizes but also from the one-on-one time she had with teachers, which allowed her to create meaningful relationships. That personalized time also gave her the opportunity to grasp concepts better and gain a deeper understanding of curriculum. She blossomed under the flexible schedule which allowed her to work, provide income for her family and participate in gymnastics at Apollo.
Richards knew she wanted to become a cosmetologist. After high school graduation, she attended Horst, now known as Aveda Arts and Sciences Institute, founded by Horst Rechelbacher, an environmental activist and global pioneer in plant-based personal care. While at Horst, students attended “Congress,” an annual fashion show week for students to display their creative hairstyles. At Congress, she was recruited as a mentee to Paul Marquis, an Aveda educator and salon owner. She moved to Colorado to assist Marquis.
“I’d give him 100% credit for my success as a hairdresser in this industry,” says Richards. “I assisted … him for a year, and by the second year was asked to buy into the salon. I was a co-owner for about a year but started feeling the pressure of the financial struggle of my parents back in Minnesota. So, I sold my portion back and moved back to Minnesota. After 6 months, I struggled leaving my clients and starting over. My parents were fine. I knew I could better financially take care of them with the opportunity I had in Denver versus struggling in Minnesota and starting over again.”
So, she moved to back to Colorado. Before she knew it, she was working 40 hours a week in a salon and touring coast-to-coast and internationally for fashion weeks with bands and high-end private clients. (Due to non-disclosure agreements, Richards is unable to name her clients.)
“[I’ve been to] London, Scotland, lots of Mexico trips, mostly LA, New York,” says Richards. “Whenever I went, I also took a fun class to continue my training. I got to do all kinds of fun stuff.”
Some of her favorite trips were to London and Scotland. She also enjoyed touring with a Scottish indie/punk band while they were in the United States. Most of her travel was contracted by private clients or bands who would fly her in and out. Fashion Week in New York was on her calendar annually.
“It was usually a whirlwind in and out,” laughs Richards. “I did [indie, punk, rock] bands. I think they liked me because I didn’t care for their music. I’m more classical. So, I just did my job.”
Richards found herself touring more frequently and for extended periods of time.
In 2011, Richards’ father passed away which gave her new perspective. She retired from her touring days to ground herself. She continued styling locally. Richards then moved to Tucson, Arizona where her older brother lived. She envisioned retirement as yoga, doing hair one day a week, and enjoying her hobbies like snowboarding, rock climbing and motocross. With COVID-19 she re-evaluated. She now helps deliver groceries and goods to people in need or who struggle to get out of the house.
Reflecting on her school years, Richards says, “I’m so grateful. I went in to do my job, and I was able to work so I could make sure that I could be fed and that we could pay the bills. I was able to do gymnastics and just kept busy.”
Today, when she makes decisions about her own life, she still hears her high school teachers in her mind giving her advice.
“There wasn’t one person in that school who wasn’t there for you as a student,” states Richards. “If there is a student who is thinking they should be at ALC, then they probably belong there. It’s going to be your best route for success. It’s going to propel you to success.”
Looking back at her own history, Richards knows she made the best decision of her life. Moving to the Area Learning Center is what launched her to her own personal success, and she can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.
Fun Facts:
- She was second in the women’s category in motocross.
- Richards still loves gymnastics and learned to do a double-back at age 28.
- She has run half-marathons, marathons and triathlons.
- When it comes to sports, the outdoors is her playground.
*The Area Learning Center Richards attended is now known as McKinley, an alternative high school located in Waite Park. It serves Apollo and Tech High School students, as well as those in surrounding area school districts, who are in need of alternative methods of education delivery and/or credit recovery.
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