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.”

Richard Goodall’s impact goes global: ‘We’re all better having witnessed your journey’

It’s difficult to overstate the reach Goodall’s story has had. His performances have amassed more than 10 million YouTube views — and that’s just on the AGT account. His videos have also made the rounds on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Tim Sanders, general manager of WTWO, the local NBC affiliate, said there were 50,000 televisions tuned into the finale results show on their local station (the total population of Vigo County is just over 106,000).

Christopher Tanner, the middle school’s principal, said the school has fielded emails from Canada, Scotland, Germany and phone calls from likely all 50 states, he said. The school has received fan mail on his behalf, and the district spokesperson is fielding media requests left and right.

Richard Goodall paying it forward with hard-earned wisdom

Goodall took every opportunity to impart life lessons and wisdom to the students gathered with him in the school’s gym.

“I stepped out of my comfort zone,” he said of his audition, “and I can tell you kids with absolute certainty that you will be at your best when you step out of your comfort zone.”

Things won’t always go their way, he cautioned, but if they keep at anything long enough, it will work out.

“Every time I sang, I sang from the heart, and I left it all on the stage,” he said. “Each time that you do what you do, do it with passion, and leave it out there and let the world take notice. Because I promise you, eventually, at some point, somebody’s gonna take notice and you’re gonna take charge.”

And Goodall’s journey doesn’t stop here.

Goodall said he’s had a few job offers come in, including a New Year’s Eve gig from “a pretty big place,” but he’s taking his time making decisions, and nothing is done without his wife Angie’s input and support.

“If I was young like all of you,” he told students, “I’ve got the rest of my life to do many great, wonderful things. But, being 55, you have a little bit different perspective.”

“All I can tell you,” he added, “is the best is yet to come.”