A newly-graduated Georgia high schooler who collected his diploma and returned to work slinging burgers at Burger King just hours after his graduation was surprised to receive thousands for his college education.
His work ethic inspired a local mom to reportedly raise about $22,000 and the surprise left him speechless.
Mykale Baker picked up a shift at the Dacula, Georgia, restaurant where he worked after seeing the late-night rush on May 21.
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Only hours earlier, the teenager had graduated from Mills Creek High School and was still in his graduation stole and medals while wearing plastic gloves to take orders at the fast food joint.
The attire Baker wore grabbed the attention of a mother named Maria Mendoza, who recorded a TikTok of the young and hardworking employee who chose to hustle and delay his merited 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 wrote on GoFundMe. “Just after receiving his diploma—still proudly wearing his medals—he reported to his shift at Burger King.”
Mendoza’s interaction with the graduated high schooler happened around 10 p.m. after she saw her daughter graduate from the same Hoschton school located approximately 40 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Her 20-second video Baker has garnered over 3 million views.
“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 wrote.
Mendoza revealed that Baker’s “radiating joy” and politeness captivated and inspired her to begin the crowdfunding campaign.
The GoFundMe has reportedly gathered over $22,000, and all of that money will be given to Baker to pursue his dreams of going to college.
“His dedication and quiet strength really moved me. I felt called to do something to recognize that,” she told 11 Alive. “I’m just grateful I got to do something for him.”
Days later on May 26, Mendoza returned to the Burger King and surprised Baker with the thousands of dollars gathered from the campaign for his education.
The newly graduated high schooler broke into tears over the kindness he received from about a thousand donors and went on to offer hugs to both his mother and Mendoza in a second heartwarming clip posted to TikTok.
Mykale Baker revealed that he was far from sure about college due to financial restrictions, but had hopes of getting enrolled in a trade school.
“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),” he said to Mendoza’s TikTok followers.
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“I never thought this would happen to me, I’m very thankful,” Baker added, fighting through tears.
