In a heartwarming tale of commitment and community support, 18-year-old Mykale Baker from Dacula, Georgia, has received widespread recognition after choosing to work his Burger King shift immediately following his high school graduation ceremony.
On May 21, after graduating from Mill Creek High School, Baker noticed his Burger King coworkers were overwhelmed and decided to assist, arriving at the restaurant still dressed in his graduation attire. Customer Maria Mendoza observed Baker’s dedication and shared a video on TikTok, capturing him in his cap, gown, and medals while diligently working. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 4.4 million views.
@mariabonita528 This young man deserves a scholarship!!!! @Carlos_Eduardo_Espina @Burger King #daculaga #burgerking #youngkid #graduated #hardworking #pesopluma #nuevavida ♬ NUEVA VIDA – Peso Pluma
Moved by Baker’s work ethic, Mendoza initiated a GoFundMe campaign titled “From Burger King to a College Dream,” aiming to support his educational aspirations. The fundraiser resonated with many, raising over $190,500 to date.
In recognition of his dedication, the Burger King Foundation awarded Baker a $10,000 scholarship through its Burger King Scholars Program. This program, established in 2000, has awarded nearly $60 million in scholarships to over 51,000 students across North America.
Additionally, acknowledging Mendoza’s initiative, the foundation granted a $10,000 scholarship to her daughter, Daizie Chavez, who plans to study neuroscience at Georgia State University.
Baker, who had considered delaying further education due to financial constraints, is now exploring opportunities in trade school, focusing on mechanical studies. He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, “I’m just grateful I got to do something for him.”
This inspiring story highlights how acts of dedication can lead to unexpected opportunities, emphasizing the impact of community support and the importance of recognizing hard work.
