'All the hoopla': WFISD swim coach charmed by Texas schooling becomes U.S. citizen

Oyvind Zahl relishes the moment just after getting sworn in as a U.S. citizen on Oct. 9 in Irving. Courtesy/Oyvind Zahl

George Svoboda

For the Times Record News

Nov. 6, 2024, 6:30 a.m. CT

After living in the United States for nearly 38 years, Memorial High School swim coach Oyvind Zahl has officially become a U.S. citizen.

Zahl was born in Norway but came to the United States as a foreign exchange student in high school. He returned to Norway after a year in the U.S.

But he said he missed the American student life. He felt burnt out in Norway, and his grades slipped.

“School in Norway is just school. It’s nothing else. You just learn, learn, learn. And then I came here, which has sports and pep rallies and all the hoopla," Zahl said. "And I was hooked."

Zahl said he grew close with his host family during his year in the country and stays in touch with them today.

“I lost my dad when I was 13, and my host dad became my new dad. Well, he didn’t replace my dad, but he . . . took that role and guided me,” Zahl said.

After graduating high school, he returned to his host family and attended Texas Tech University where he studied kinesiology and history.

Zahl said he felt motivated again upon his return, and his grades rose.

He came to Wichita Falls ISD over 25 years ago, and he’s taken multiple coaching roles, ranging from golf to swimming.

On Oct. 9, Zahl went to Dallas and passed the U.S. citizenship test. He was sworn in as a citizen just a few hours later.

“First thing they did was pick up the green card from everyone because we don’t need them anymore because we’re citizens,” Zahl said.

The milestone didn’t hit him until moments later.

“It hit me when I walked out," Zahl said. "And I was excited to see somebody. I’m wearing my little flag. So it was really neat.”

He said he made the decision to naturalize when it came time to renew his green card, partially because it would be less expensive in the long run.

He also said he was ready to have his voice heard.

“I also want to have a part, you know, a say,” Zahl said. “I’d like to vote eventually. As a matter of fact, I never voted in my life because I left Norway when I was the voting age there.”

He said his family is excited for him, and he has a brother who will go through the naturalization process soon.