Some Things Are Bigger Than Graduation: HS Teen Graduates Then Goes Back To Work His Job At Burger King And A Woman Who Saw It Helped Raise Thousands For His College Fund
NY Post- A freshly graduated Georgia high schooler collected his diploma and got back to work slinging burgers at Burger King just hours after the ceremony– inspiring a local mom to raise thousands for his college education.
Mykale Baker picked up a shift at the Dacula, Georgia, restaurant where he worked after seeing the late-night rush on May 21.
Baker’s attire caught the attention of eagle-eyed customer, Maria Mendoza, who recorded a TikTok of the hard-working employee who decided to hustle and delay 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 wrote on GoFundMe. “Just after receiving his diploma—still proudly wearing his medals—he reported to his shift at Burger King.”
Mendoza’s drive-thru interaction with Baker took place around 10 p.m. after she saw her daughter graduate from the same Hoschton school located about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Mendoza’s 20-second clip of Baker has been viewed over 3 million times.
Great to see. People helping people. High school is the first time where it feels like you learn about the balance between doing what you want, and doing what you have to. High School is a ton of fun, a big time for freedom, a time where you expand your horizons, and a lot of memories. It's also a time your parents have a conversation with you of "hey you should get a job." It's in those times when you are pulling a shift at a restaurant as a bus boy, or working retail on a Friday or Saturday night and the texts roll in from your friends about a party or going to see a movie and you have to respond "I can't I have work." It's a humbling experience. It's in those times when you learn about how it works for the rest of your life. There will be things you want to do and can't because of things you have to do. This kid looks like one who doesn't complain and has set himself up for grinding through school while balancing the books and work.
There's a ton of bad things on social media, but good for this woman making this a big story and helping this kid out because of how much it really would help him. As it turns out, because of financial situations he may not have been to attend school.
On May 26, Mendoza returned to the Burger King and showed Baker the thousands of dollars raised for his future.
The teen was brought to tears over the generosity of the nearly thousand donors and offered hugs to both his mother and Mendoza in a second heartfelt video posted to TikTok.
Baker revealed the uncertainty he faced post-graduation because of financial restrictions, but was hoping to go to a trade school.
The video of her telling him how much was raised and how it can help him was awesome. The kid wasn't looking for a handout, and the woman wasn't going in trying to be some sort of look at me type person, but their paths crossed and she decided to do what she could. Good for both of them. Hope this kid kills it in college, he deserves it.