Here’s how one USC student spreads joy on campus, one flower at a time
If a random bouquet of flowers ever catches your eye on the University of South Carolina’s campus, you aren’t mistaken. They are for all of USC, and they are for you.
Behind it all? A computer science major with a heart of gold.
This student, who wished to remain anonymous, started leaving flowers around campus about a year ago. It has since become a sporadic tradition many look forward to.
When she was 13, the student was inspired by a post on VSCO, a photo-sharing app, of someone handing out flowers. Eight years later she decided to make it her own.
The student leaves a bouquet on different parts of campus that people can pick up as they walk to class or get lunch with a friend. An accompanying sign reads “keep it for yourself or … spread the love and give to someone else.”
“Campus was the perfect place to do it,” she said.
Whether daisies, roses or carnations, she picks a different location each time. It’s almost like a game, the student said, a kind of scavenger hunt. And her mysterious identity adds to the fun.
“No one expects it,” the student said.
Alongside the bouquet, she leaves a disposable camera for people to take photos with their flowers. At the end of the day, she picks it up and gets the photos developed. Snapshots are shared on an Instagram account.
She doesn’t stay to see the impact of her small act of kindness, but USC students flood her Instagram with comments and messages of excitement and praise.
“Man I love it here. The best community!” one comment read.
“Reasons why I love USC,” read another.
These “flower drops” give her something to look forward to — and it brightens strangers’ days too.
As the initiative grows, and as her time at USC wanes, she said she’d love to get more students involved to carry it on after she graduates. But until then, keep your eyes open and you might just get lucky.
