A Georgia teen’s hustle is breaking the internet! Mykale Baker, fresh out of his high school graduation, didn’t even take a second to pop bottles or turn up. Instead, he rushed straight to his shift at Burger King, still rocking his graduation stole and medals. His story blew up on TikTok, and now he’s getting love in a MAJOR way. Thanks to a viral video, an enormous GoFundMe, and Burger King doing its big one, Mykale’s college dreams will soon be turning into reality. Here’s what happened…
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Mykale’s Story Is Truly Inspiring
The 18-year-old had just walked across the stage hours prior as he collected his diploma, grateful for completing this milestone in his life. Most of us would be out celebrating, right? Well, not Mykale. This king from Mills Creek High School in Dacula, Georgia, went straight from his graduation on May 21 to packing orders at Burger King.
Maria Mendoza, a mom who was at the same graduation cheering for her daughter, Daisy, spotted Mykale at the restaurant and was shook. She couldn’t believe the boy she saw at graduation was back at work, no chill, no party, just pure dedication.
Maria took out her phone, recorded him bagging orders, and dropped the video on TikTok with the caption, “TikTok do your thing… this young boy went straight to work at Burger King right after his graduation!” That same TikTok has now amassed over 5 million views since May 22, with the internet losing it over Mykale’s work ethic.
Social media users were eager to rally behind this young legend and ensure his college path was set.
@mariabonita528 This young man deserves a scholarship!!!! @Carlos_Eduardo_Espina @Burger King #daculaga #burgerking #youngkid #graduated #hardworking #pesopluma #nuevavida
His GoFundMe Reaches Colossal Numbers After The Viral Post
Maria didn’t just stop at posting the TikTok. She saw Mykale’s drive and wanted to establish something that could help the teen attend college, per 11Alive. So, she launched a GoFundMe to help him with those expenses. And y’all, the internet showed OUT! The fundraiser, which had a $60,000 goal, surpassed that and continued to climb, reaching over $200,000 as of the time of writing.
Maria made it clear in the GoFundMe description that Mykale wasn’t chasing clout. “He didn’t do it for attention,” she wrote. “He doesn’t even know his story went viral. But thousands of people were moved by his dedication, humility, and work ethic.”
The TikTok community came through, pouring in donations, determined to see Mykale chase his college dreams without sweating the bills. Social media really said, “We got you, fam!” and turned this teen’s hustle into a whole online movement.
@mariabonita528 God is doing amazing things🥰 #GRAD #graduation2025 #daculaga #fyp #viral #parati #bk #youngkid #hardworking @Burger King #news #update #mykale #blessed #millcreek
Burger King Also Decided To Bless Mykale AND Maria’s Daughter
Burger King caught wind of the viral moment and decided to come through with some serious love. During one of Mykale’s shifts, surrounded by his work squad, the company surprised him with a $10,000 scholarship to help with his college expenses. In a photo shared by the company, he was all smiles, posing with the check in his Burger King uniform.
Burger King wasn’t done spreading the love, though. They saw Maria’s big heart in shining a light on Mykale, a young man she barely knew, and decided to bless her daughter, Daisy, with a $10,000 scholarship as well.
In a heartwarming pic, Mykale and Daisy are cheesing, holding up their checks, knowing college just got a whole lot easier. Mykale’s life has been flipped upside down in the best way, all because Maria saw his grind and the world decided to show up.
Let’s keep rooting for Mykale as he takes on college with a full bag and a brighter future.
Congrats to Mykale Baker on a $10,000 scholarship from the BK Foundation! His work ethic at the Burger King in Dacula, GA, and viral TikTok moment captured hearts. Maria Mendoza's GoFundMe has raised over $187K! Truly inspiring! Way to go, Mykale! 🌟 #BKScholar #ViralGrad pic.twitter.com/6WQWEmoabD
— GPS Hospitality (@gpshospitality) June 3, 2025
ACTS OF KINDNESS: A Tik Tok video of 18-year-old Mykale Baker working at Burger King in his graduation out went viral. pic.twitter.com/GbCWvfWgWk
— Rhema News (@rhemanewsplus) June 3, 2025
