Introducing Halle Maki-Waller - 2024 Damon Anderson Memorial Scholarship Recipient

WLIA awarded the Damon Anderson Memorial Scholarship to three students this year. It's time to get to know them!

Let's meet Halle Maki-Waller, Senior at University of Wisconsin - Stout who is studying Environmental Science with a concentration in Natural Resource Conservation, Plant Science and GIS.

How did you decide on your field of study?

As a child my interests always swayed towards the environment which showed up in the shows I liked to watch, the books I liked to read, and my everyday activities like catching snakes and frogs. In high school I was debating between going to school for environmental science or going for mechanical engineering because I knew I liked working with my hands. After taking an introductory Environmental Science course from The University of Manitoba, I was absolutely hooked. Every course I have taken since then has furthered my belief that I was meant to work with the environment. 

What is your dream job? 

From the time I could say the word, I have told people that my dream job is to be a herpetologist. At my current position as an environmental intern for a civil engineering firm, it seems like there is room to grow towards working with reptiles and amphibians like I had always wanted. So, ideally I would like to be an environmental consultant that works on a variety of types of projects, but does some endangered herp removal as well. 

What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?

I think the best advice someone has given me was just to trust myself but know when to ask for help. I think having confidence in myself has allowed me to be a better student and employee and knowing when to ask for assistance has ensured that I get all I can out of every experience. 

What do you like to do for fun?  (Hobbies, volunteer work, etc.)

I play on the Stout Women's rugby team, I love to go to the gym and go on hikes, and watch football on Sundays! I also volunteer with the Stout Natural Areas Club. 

What’s something most people wouldn’t guess about you?

I have a twin sister. She has been my best friend all through my life and so I always mention her when I get asked this question just so I get an opportunity to talk about her. 

What’s your favorite YouTube channel?

This is a tough question, but to be honest a lot of the YouTube I watch is Saturday Night Live clips, fishing videos, and The Green Bay Packers channel for post game conferences etc. 

If you could sit down with anyone in history for a chat, who would it be and why?

In my high school biology class we watched a movie about Watson and Crick and Rosalind Franklin and I was so moved by the injustice done to her and her discovery. So if I had the opportunity I would love to interview her and hear her side of the story and maybe get her name out there a bit more. 

Would you rather live in a big city, small town or in solitude?

I grew up in a smallish town of 20,000 and I think that is my ideal size. My main priority is to have access to natural areas and to be close to my family. If that happens to be in a city or in a small town I suppose I don't have a preference.