Just hours after the ceremony, a recent high school graduate from Georgia picked up his diploma and resumed his job selling hamburgers at Burger King, which motivated a local mother to contribute thousands of dollars for his college tuition.
On May 21, Mykale Baker noticed the late-night surge and accepted a shift at the restaurant where he worked in Dacula, Georgia.
Wearing plastic gloves to bag orders at the fast-food restaurant, the 18-year-old was still sporting his graduation stole and medals from Mills Creek High School, where he had graduated just hours earlier.
Maria Mendoza, a perceptive customer, was drawn to Baker’s outfit and decided to capture a TikTok of the diligent worker who chose to work hard and postpone his well-earned summer vacation.
“While many graduates spent the night celebrating with friends and family, one young man quietly showed the world what determination looks like,” Mendoza stated on GoFundMe. “Just after receiving his diploma—still proudly wearing his medals—he reported to his shift at Burger King.”
After seeing her daughter graduate from the same Hoschton school, which is roughly 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, Mendoza spoke with Baker over the drive-thru at around ten o’clock in the evening.
More than 3 million people have watched Mendoza’s 20-second video of Baker.
“He didn’t do it for attention. He doesn’t even know his story went viral. But thousands of people were moved by his dedication, humility, and work ethic,” she stated.
Mendoza launched the crowdfunding campaign after being enthralled by Baker’s “radiating joy” and civility.
Over $22,000 has been raised through the GoFundMe, and Baker will receive all of the funds so he may fulfill his college ambitions.
“His dedication and quiet strength really moved me. I felt called to do something to recognize that,” she stated. “I’m just grateful I got to do something for him.”
Mendoza showed Baker the thousands of dollars he had gathered for his future when he returned to the Burger King on May 26.
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In a second touching video uploaded on TikTok, the teenager, moved by the kindness of the almost thousand donors, gave embraces to Mendoza and his mother.
Although he hoped to attend a trade school, Baker highlighted the uncertainty he faced after graduation due to financial constraints.
Speaking to Mendoza’s TikTok followers, he added, “Thank you so much. I was thinking of taking a gap year because I didn’t have money for school, but thank you to all of you now, I might actually go straight to technical college and get my mechanical (sic).”
Fighting back tears, Baker continued, “I never thought this would happen to me, I’m very thankful.”
