Fernando Bonifacio is a 17-year-old junior starting his first semester in journalism. He was born in Wilmington, NC, and raised in Shallotte, NC.

Fernando is a student-athlete who participates in soccer and track for West Brunswick High School. He mainly focuses on soccer but has always run cross country and track and field. He has played soccer since he was 6 years old and currently plays for a travel soccer team.

Fernando is proud of his progress in soccer and hopes to someday play at the collegiate or professional level. He also plays EA FC on his Xbox and does barber work as a side hustle.

“Ever since that dude Kendall from District 7 messed me up, man, I've been on that grind to be a great barber,” said Fernando.

The West Wind sparked his interest because he saw that students could use their creativity in a class and have fun with it.