FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks and Fort Wainwright have announced their February 2023 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.
Paul Johnson, Junior, Men's Basketball, 3.35 GPA, Business Administration
Johnson is just in his first season with the Nanooks but has already shown a strong amount of leadership by example, excellent communication with his team and coaches, he's always helping his teammates and has excelled in the classroom. Paul exemplifies what it means to be a Nanook on and off the court according to his coaches. His integrity, leading by example and effort are qualities you can always count on Johnson having. Off the court, he's helped out at a lot of local events including a community Easter egg hunt, he's helped high school basketball teams grow their game, he's volunteered at a number of summer camps and helped at the Raven's Retirement Center in Fairbanks. Paul is an excellent student first and a leader on the court, giving 100% effort all the time. He has also spent time volunteering at North Pole High School in Unified Sports.
Paola Perez-Mendoza, Women's Basketball, 3.79 GPA, Psychology
Perez-Mendoza has demonstrated leadership with her team and on campus through her ability to listen. As the team's starting point guard, she is someone who has to be coachable on the team – something she has worked very hard to accomplish. Off the court, she is caring, positive and brings a light to others. She is a curious, thoughtful and hard-working person. These are all traits that help her embody UAF's most positive traditions. She works hard to be someone that helps her teammates in multiple ways. She's also received 4.00 GPA's in the last two semesters. Perez-Mendoza has attended Denali Elementary and Barnette Magnette School for over seven hours, working with young athletes on their reading and confidence, as well as playing with them during recess. According to her coaches, Paola is much more than a basketball player. She is someone who brings the community together and is highly respected by her teammates.
SPC Luke Asbjornsen, 26, of 1st Brigade 11th Airborne Division
SPC Asbjornsen is assigned to 3
rd PLT, Alpha Company, 1-5 IN as a fire team leader. He arrived to Ft. Wainwright in September of 2020.
SPC Asbjornsen was born in the town of Graham, Washington, and graduated from Graham-Kapowsin High School in 2014. From there he continued his education at Central Washington University and received his Bachelor's Degree in Education in 2019. SPC Asbjornsen played football at his university, receiving 3 time All-Conference Honors, 3 time All-Academic Honors. He also received All-American Honors during his senior year, ad was added to the Best Players of the Decade list for both his college and the GNAC Conference.
SPC Asbjornsen enlisted November of 2019. Following this, he graduated from OSUT in June 2020. He then reported to A Co. 1-5 IN. Since then, he has taken part in JPMRC, multiple Platoon Live Fires, and Khann Quest 22 where he traveled to Mongolia to train with his platoon alongside the Mongolian Military. Finally, he has won the Arctic games in 2020, 2021, and won top team for 2022.
Cadet Michael Fazio
University of Alaska Fairbanks Army ROTC Cadet Michael J. Fazio Jr. is a National Scholarship recipient, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Cadet Fazio will commission into the Army National Guard as a Second Lieutenant in May 2023 and will later attend graduate school in Virginia.
Over his last four years at UAF, Cadet Fazio has been a model member of the ROTC program and active in the local community. He dedicated many of his evenings and weekends volunteering at his local church, excelled as a member of the UAF ROTC Color Guard and has been an active member of the Cadet Club; all while maintaining a cumulative 3.77 GPA.
Cadet Fazio is currently serving as the Battalion S4 and previously served as the UAF Detachment Commander. His leadership and tireless efforts ensured the execution of tough and realistic training throughout the entire academic year. Cadet Fazio is the epitome of a warrior, scholar and athlete and is a proud member of the Nanook community.
