Most were teen-agers, some whose older siblings went to school with Donaldson. Girls squealed when Donaldson appeared on the screen, and all chattering stopped when he spoke. They had cheered and applauded earlier in the show when Donaldson emerged as one of two finalists. Grant, who heads the computer reading lab at the elementary school, hosted the party because of widespread interest in town.
People here are just so excited.
Christoval even is planning a special cancellation stamp honoring Donaldson. Post office workers dreamed up the idea as soon as they found out he was a contestant and planned to do it regardless of how he fared. Donaldson was well-known in town in high school, where he was Student Council secretary and Beta Club president. He also was named Most Valuable Player for West Texas in six-man football during his senior year. He graduated in 1992 with 24 people in his class, who voted him Most Likely to Succeed.