FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks and Fort Wainwright have announced their November Warriors of the Month. Warrior of the Month is a partnership between Fort Wainwright and the Nanooks, highlighting military members and student-athletes who excel on and off the court, in the classroom and on base or in the field. Each month a warrior is selected from Fort Wainwright, UAF Army ROTC and a female and male student-athlete. 
 
Rylan Kissell, Sophomore, Mixed Rifle, 3.78 Cumulative GPA, Business Administration
Rylan leads the team by holding team members accountable on the range, in the weight room and during team activities. Kissell also leads in his performance and growth in the sport. He started as a red-shirt on the team and now is a leader with his methodical and effective training; working with the coaching staff and being an influence on the atmosphere in the range by bringing intensity and competitiveness to the rest of the group. He is following in step with many of the most successful alumni in the program; having broken records on multiple occasions, including aggregate NCAA team scores, program records, and most recently being the first NCAA rifle athlete to shoot three perfect 600's in air rifle. He has seen success on the international stage as well, being a Junior World Champion in the Men's Air Rifle Team Event and standing on the podium in the U.S. and abroad. Through all of this and being a top student, Kissell has shown the true meaning of student-athlete and what it takes to balance this lifestyle. 
 
Quote from head coach Will Anti, "Rylan is an excellent representative from the Rifle Team and an apt choice for this month's Warrior of the month after becoming the first person ever to shoot 3 perfect scores in NCAA Rifle. Rylan has had many tremendous accomplishments with the 'Nooks but this most recent one speaks to elite level he has consistently performed at for several years. Beyond that Rylan is a leader for the team on and off the range, regularly setting the example of what it means to be a member of Nanooks Rifle. I continue to be proud of Rylan and his commitment to his team and university."
 
Ellen Silva, Sophomore, Women's Basketball, 3.02 GPA, Psychology
Ellen has had a fantastic preseason, she set the teams records in both fitness tests that we conducted after the summer, coming into the season. She is a hard-working, kind a curious individual. She is someone that her teammates look to for support and guidance. She has worked very hard in the classroom to improve her cumulative GPA, and is consistently reliable. Silva is from Fairbanks, and she is very connected to the community. She has volunteered her time significantly over her years here, and will continue to do so with her team. Ellen and the rest of the team volunteered at Tanana Middle School, hosting a youth basketball clinic. Coach Donovan believes that Silva exemplifies what it means to be a quiet, confident leader. She continues to grow her belief in herself and her teammates, both on and off the court. 
 
Quote from head coach Amy Donovan, "Ellen is the epitome of what a UAF student-athlete should be. She is hard-working, kind, and an excellent student. She strives towards excellence in everything that she does, both on and off the court. Her dedication to the Fairbanks community is evident through her volunteer work at Barnette Magnet School and Denali Elementary School. We are lucky to have Ellen as a member of our women's basketball team and UAF community!"
 
SPC Monique Spence, 32, of 1-52 GSAB
SPC Spence is assigned to Delta Company, 1^st Battalion, 52^nd Aviation Regiment as a UH-60 (Black Hawk) helicopter mechanic. SPC Spence has served with 1-52 AVN REGT on Fort Wainwright, AK since October 2020.

SPC Spence is from Kinston, Jamaica and enlisted in the Army in early September 2019.  Besides being a helicopter mechanic, SPC Spence is also a key leader in the Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program, a morale program that helps Soldiers explore Alaska. She also volunteers with the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program, which ensures Soldiers have the skills and resources they need to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

SPC Spence continually strives to improve herself and increase morale wherever she is. She consistently scores well on the Army Combat Fitness Test, maxing several events, and encouraging those around her to do the same. She has a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B.) degree and has plans to pursue her Master's in Business Law.  

CDT Johnasia Carr – ROTC Cadet
Cadet Carr is a volleyball student-athlete majoring in Digital Journalism and a junior Cadet in the UAF Army ROTC Program. Before attending UAF, Carr participated in varsity sports at Yonkers High School in New York. She was a three-time All-League selection, All-Conference, and All-Section award recipient in volleyball. Her active involvement led her to achieve the role of team captain. Carr also participated in Track and Field and Figure Skating while in high school, earning a Varsity Letter and a silver medal. Her high school volleyball jersey is now retired due to outstanding performance and as a reminder to future athletes what excellence and hard work can result.
 
During her 4-year collegiate career, Carr was a 2-year starter at Seattle University and a transfer to Florida Southwestern State College, where she excelled on the court and found her passion for writing. Additionally, she began her involvement in ROTC to become physically and mentally stronger to help benefit her team and herself. 
 
Carr attended Basic Camp Cadet Summer Training for five weeks at Fort Knox, Kentucky, this past summer to resume her ROTC career. Her performance led to her selection to receive an Army ROTC scholarship, and her hard work and effort allowed her to learn about the Army and further her aspirations to become an active-duty Military Police Officer. Carr is now involved in helping her community through volunteering at elementary schools and helping coach younger volleyball athletes. She continuously strives to show the community the possibility of being both an ROTC cadet and student-athlete. Cadet Carr is the epitome of a warrior, scholar, and athlete and a proud Nanook community member.

The award winners will be honored at tonight's women's basketball game against Montana State Billings at 7:00 p.m.

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