Name: Haynes Alexander Werner
Hometown: Beaufort, South Carolina
Major: Biology
Relationship Status: Single (wink, wink!)
Favorite Spot on Campus: Reynolda Village
Her Campus (HC): What is one of your biggest pet peeves?
Haynes Werner (HW): When people don’t capitalize my name in texting or emails, I can’t stand that. Bad grammar is also a turn off. I don’t really like nicknames either… wow, I sound like a nerd.
HC: I guess I shouldn’t ask if you had any nicknames growing up then?
HW: (laughing) I actually didn’t really have any that stuck.
HC: So what’s the first thing that you look for in a girl?
HW: Eyes, always. Green is the best.
HC: Who was your Disney Princess crush as a kid?
HW: Hermione Granger; but I guess she doesn’t really count, so I’m going to have to say Pocahontas.
HC: What is your least favorite accent that you hear around campus?
HW: Northern, without a doubt.
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HC: Okay, tell me something that is unique about you.
HW: Well I’m a twin… My sister goes to UNC (Chapel Hill). She transferred there from Clemson. I also have my falconer’s license, and my hawk stays in the bio building when I am here [at Wake].
HC: Both of those are definitely unique! Why are you and your sister at different schools? Needed some space?
HW: We both applied to Chapel Hill and were going to go there together, but then she decided on Clemson and I chose Wake. She eventually decided to transfer and went to Chapel Hill; she’s a Tri Delt there and really loves it.
HC: That’s great that you guys stayed close to each other. So, the other unique fact… Tell me more about falconing! What is your hawk’s name?
HW: Vesper, she’s a red-tailed hawk, and about three or four years old.
HC: What started your interest in this sport?
HW: When I was 12 years old I saw a falconry demonstration and stayed in touch with the falconer through the years. I got my license when I turned 14, and that’s also when I caught my first hawk; I named her Ground Control and I was Major Tom.
HC: Great name choice! You have to trap them, how does that work?
HW: Yes, trapping is a traditional part of the sport. After trapping, it takes about three or four weeks to train. The training method I used stressed establishing trust and avoiding negative memories associated with me. We slowly built trust, and have built a unique bond these past 6 years. This summer I am getting a Goshawk for duck hunting, and it’s going to take the whole summer to train him because he will be a chick when I get him.
HC: Sounds intense, have you had any other cool animals growing up?
HW: As a kid I had a pet raccoon, but other than that just two dogs (golden retrievers). Oh, I also had a crow too.
HC: Have you ever been coon hunting?
HW: No, but I have been shot at by people who have. That’s a completely different story though.
HC: You are definitely an adventurous person! How does that play into your career aspirations?
HW: My dream job would be an exotic vet. For birds and other wildlife… I think that would be awesome.
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HC: What are four things that you want to do before graduating Wake?
HW: Tunneling; I’ve already been once, but I want to do that again. Go abroad, get to the top of Wait Chapel, and go hunting with a professor.
HC: Where do you want to go abroad?
HW: I am actually going to Peru this summer with the biology department. I’m really looking forward to visiting Machu Picchu while I’m there.
HC: Okay, last question… What is one thing that you would never be caught doing or wearing?
HW: Well, I would never perform in a play because of my stage fright. I can give demonstrations with Vesper because all the attention is on her and not me, but I don’t like being the center of attention. And I would never be caught with my pants tucked into my boots – that is just not a good look for anyone.
*Photography by Karleigh Ash