Nothing brightens a day quite like a sunflower.
In mid-November, roughly 100 random students and faculty members received sunflowers with just one string attached: a note containing a positive message such as “you are loved” or “random act of kindness.”
The Big Sisters of Psychology were responsible for the event, but even the students who received flowers might not know who was behind it. Unless asked, the Sisters didn’t mention their club; they just handed out the flowers with a simple “This is for you.”
The organization hoped to inspire others to carry out their own random acts of kindness and spread joy.
The Sisters gathered in the USC’s Regatta Room to prep the flowers. Club members bought the flowers out of pocket then attached a handwritten note to each one.
“Everyone needs that pick-me-up,” said Melissa Cloutier, club member and junior psychology major. Cloutier was one of the 10 Sisters who passed out flowers.
Every student reacted differently to receiving a flower. Some students took a moment to hug a stranger, while others barely even stopped as they sped to class. But every single person walked away with a smile.
“I’ve been here for three years and never seen this happen. My day is made,” said Demetria Hill, a junior criminology major.
For some students, receiving a flower felt like more than just a kind gesture.
“We made it! It’s a symbol,” said Diana Bryson, a junior double majoring in education and art history. Bryson explained that she had been up all night studying with her friend, Olivia Scully, who also received a flower. The girls had just finished a test and felt as though the flowers were a positive sign.
For many of the Sisters, the event was rather emotional. Tracey Garbutt, a senior double majoring in psychology and international studies, became teary-eyed multiple times throughout the day.
“We’re very committed and passionate about being there for people. You never know what people are going through,” said Garbutt.
Garbutt founded the club with the help of senior psychology majors Annie Meier and Stefanie Burnham. Garbutt is an international student from Canada who struggled to get involved on campus. When Garbutt began looking into clubs as a way to connect, she couldn’t find one that met her needs.
“I just want to have meaningful conversation and connect with people. I think all of us, whether we know it or not, want to connect,” said Garbutt. That desire led to her create Big Sisters of Psychology.
The club allows students to engage in weekly, intelligent conversations that help bring them closer together. Participation is not required for those who would feel more comfortable listening.
Currently, the Big Sisters of Psychology consists of roughly 20 regular members and occasional guests. This is the club’s first official semester and the Sisters are already looking towards next semester to better help students connect with one another.
Activities the Sisters would like to work toward include hosting monthly random acts of kindness, organizing inter-club meetings to expand discussion, creating a sticky note wall and hosting other conversation-provoking events.
Students should not be misled by the club name. Big Sisters of Psychology is open to any major or gender.
“Everybody is welcome and equal here,” said Garbutt.
