Moving from place to place can change a person in many ways, and for McKayla Vega, each move has helped her grow stronger, understanding, and more connected with people around her.

“I would say moving has been a part of shaping who I am today,” McKayla said.

McKayla has moved several times throughout her life, and although each move brought a mix of emotions, she has learned to find something positive in every experience.

“I think it was a struggle because I was moving away from friends, but it was also fun to go to new places,” McKayla explained.

Through these experiences, McKayla developed a passion for helping others feel at home — whether by making people feel welcome or creating comforting, inviting spaces.

“I’m passionate about being someone people can come to and open up to,” McKayla said.

Her desire to help others feel comfortable inspires one of her biggest dreams: owning her own firm.

She hopes to combine her creativity and love for design with her ability to connect with people to build something meaningful.

“My goals are to graduate from high school, go to college out of state, get a car, and have my own firm,” she proudly said.

McKayla’s interest in interior design and engineering began after moving back to Gardner, a place that holds many memories for her. Helping her family settle into a new home has shown her how much she enjoys organizing, planning, and improving spaces.

“Moving back here, I know I’m going to finish high school here, and I have to help my family with moving,” McKayla said.

Whenever her family moves, McKayla helps them settle in — setting up rooms, offering suggestions, and making sure their new home feels cozy and functional.

“I help my family by putting away stuff, recommending where it should go, or if we should buy more things,” she said. “Anything to help us feel more comfortable with our environment.”

Of all the places she’s lived, Gardner remains McKayla’s favorite. It’s where her childhood friendships began, and returning there gave her a sense of peace and familiarity after years of moving around.