Hardworking teen shows up for last-min Burger King shift in graduation outfit… before racking up $44k GoFundMe donations
A HARDWORKING high schooler showed up for a shift at Burger King just hours after his graduation - inspiring an onlooker to start a fundraiser for his college expenses.
Mykale Baker was still wearing his graduation stole and medals when he got back to work at the fast food joint last week.
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The 18-year-old from Georgia didn't follow his peers into post-graduation festivities, instead wasting no time in earning money towards his dream of going to college.
But his strong work ethic caught the eye of Maria Mendoza, who posted a video on TikTok after she noticed his attire.
She was moved by his decision to delay a well-earned break to work towards his dreams and decided to launch a GoFundMe to help bolster his college funds.
The 20 second clip was soon viewed more than three million times.
Mendoza wrote: "While many graduates spent the night celebrating with friends and family, one young man quietly showed the world what determination looks like.
"Just after receiving his diploma — still proudly wearing his medals — he reported to his shift at Burger King.
"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."
Mendoza had just seen her own daughter graduate that same day when she spotted him hard at work in Burger King.
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She added: "Let's get together as a community and support this young kid.
"All funds raised will go directly toward helping him with college tuition, books, supplies, and other educational needs.
"Let's show him that the world is watching—and rooting for him."
The fundraiser has now gathered nearly $45,000 for Baker to make his college dreams a reality.
Mendoza returned to the same Burger King this week to present Baker with the donations.
"His dedication and quiet strength really moved me. I felt called to do something to recognise that," she told local outlet 11 Alive.
"I'm just grateful I got to do something for him."
The teen was moved to tears at generosity, revealing the financial uncertainty he had felt after finishing high school.
He told Mendoza's TikTok followers how much their kindness meant to him in an emotional message.
"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," he said.
"I never thought this would happen to me, I'm very thankful."
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