Goodall captured fans’ hearts and minds from the moment he appeared on television. His stunning audition performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” brought the Los Angeles audience to their feet and won him a Golden Buzzer from judge Heidi Klum, automatically advancing him to the live rounds of the show. He sailed through the quarterfinals, then the semifinals. Then the win.

The days since have been a whirlwind. Goodall and his now wife, Angie, returned to Indiana late Wednesday, ran errands Thursday and Goodall was back to work at 6 a.m. Friday. A few hours later, students, school leaders and city officials celebrated his return with a pep rally.

Goodall was joined onstage by three students representing the middle and high schools who interviewed him about his experience. What got you interested in singing? Which performance was your favorite? What inspired you to believe in yourself? Goodall said the people right in front of him had played a major role in his success.

“You don’t choose TV, TV chooses you,” he said. “Yeah, I had a good story, (but) I’ve been singing to you kids for years and years. At the end of the day, I had enough talent to showcase not just me, but all of you amazing people.”

Watch as students line the hallways singing ‘Don’t Stop Believin” to welcome hero Richard Goodall home.