Meet Makayla, Minidoka Intern!
Minidoka National Historic Site was thrilled to have Makayla Payne intern last summer. She supported Walt Tomlinson, Minidoka NHS’ Maintenance Manager. Learn more about her below!
Hi my name is Makayla Payne!
I’m from Eugene, Oregon and this summer I had the privilege of being a Maintenance & Facilities intern at Minidoka National Historic Site. In this role, I was responsible for groundskeeping and making sure that the site is a safe and welcoming space for visitors to be in.
I found out about this internship through my mentor and dear friend, Teiko Saito. Teiko is a kind and inspirational woman who also happens to be a survivor of the camp. Through partaking in the upkeep and preservation of this historical site, I hope to honor Teiko and her family, as well as share their story.
My favorite memory was the weekend of the Minidoka Pilgrimage. During this event, I felt a real sense of community and was able to meet so many amazing individuals who were either working or attending the event.
In my free time I enjoy eating out with friends and playing with my cats, Oreo and Otis. I also love going camping with my family and taking trips to the coast every year.