NERD of the month Whitney "Spooky Whitt" Johnson

While I was at Dragon Con this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Whitney "Spooky Whitt" Johnson. Whitney is a cosplayer who has quite a bit on her plate. She organized a Final Fantasy cosplay group of over 200, volunteers with kids,while still managing to be a model and an equestrian. 

How did you get started with cosplay?

     I got started about 20 years ago in Highschool making my own cosplays: Yuffie from Final Fantasy 7 for Halloween and then Princess Mononoke for a Theater character day. It wasn't until I went to my first con, ConDUIT, that I found out we could do this as a thing and bring our characters fully to life and I was hooked. 

What are your top three cosplays?

     My top 3 cosplays: Sephiroth, Sesshoumaru, Fang. Though Sesshoumaru is now retired (Sesshoumaru is in dire need of repair. He has been to many cons and festivals, the costume is worn out in addition it also needs new fur).  

What motivated you to start a group? Why a Final Fantasy group?

     What motivated me to organize the group was when I was at Dragoncon in 2009 people were spreading the word of a Final Fantasy photoshoot at the Marriott. My girlfriend at the time and I were dressed as Sora from Kingdom Hearts (her) and Irvine Kinneas from Final Fantasy 8 (me).  it was a fantastic little gathering and as Irvine I suggested we all had to go to Hooters after and even shot a little bit of video there with permission from the owner. 
It grew from there. I created the group to help keep us organized and each year we spread the word: Saturday, 1pm Marriott Atrium, Pool Entrance. But now we have outgrown that space and even that time slot. So I have been organizing this group (which has now reached over 230 members) since 2011.

     I have always LOVED Final Fantasy since junior high school. Ever since a friend showed Final Fantasy 7 to me. I loved how Sephiroth looked and how he was drawn. Seeing Sephiroth helped me with my art and ended up being what got me into anime.  I loved how the game was played and how great the stories were!

What kind of volunteer work are you doing?

I am a fringe volunteer (meaning I go where I am called when I have time) for different groups in Utah like Make-a-Wish, Kids Heroes Foundation, etc.  My most recent event was an event for adopted children called United For Adoption. I was 1966 Robin. 

Congrats to the first nerd-cred.com NERD of the MONTH 

September: Whitney Johnson

She received a free copy of the Red Dragon Inn 2