New club blossoms on USC’s campus

One USC freshman is making strides growing a new club on campus.

BloomNotes is a faith-based club created by first-generation college student Bella Grudzinski, with the purpose of “spreading joy.”

“Now it’s turned into a craft club that’s rooted in fellowship,” said club president Bella Grudzinski. “I like to tell people that we’re kind of founded on kindness.”

The club has workshops twice a month in which people are invited to help prep fresh flowers and write notes to attach to each one. Then, there are monthly or bi-monthly “drops” where the club walks around the community.

“We talk to strangers, we hand out the flowers, and we just try to uplift people with words of kindness and encouragement,” Grudzinski said.

Most students the club has reached are initially confused by the idea of the club.

“I had multiple people ask me, ‘What’s the catch? What’s in it for me?’” Grudzinski said.

There is no catch — just a group of students trying to help brighten someone’s day.

“The world is full of transactional love, so we just want to love on other people no strings attached,” Grudzinski said.

The club has been making its way across campus in hopes of making a small difference on otherwise normal days.

On Valentine’s Day, the club gave out flowers on Greene Street in front of the Russell House student union.

“That was really special,” said club member Ginger Thomas. “It’s a day full of so much love, and I’m glad we were able to add to that.”

Grudzinski said a piece of advice she has carried with her during this endeavor is “to draw on what you love and turn it into something that will help you love on others.” She thought of connecting flowers and uplifting notes because she’s always been interested in flowers and crafts.

“I’ve had so many great experiences come out of that,” Grudzinski said. “I’ve seen people laugh, smile, cry, and I’ve had so many crazy experiences where the note that we give to people is just what they needed to hear.”

This impact happened quickly.

The club is newer to campus. It started in January 2025.

Grudzinski is almost as new to the school as her club is. Her first semester of college began in the fall of 2024.

“I feel like she is a totally new person now than she was when I met her at the beginning of the year,” said BloomNotes club member Brooke McCollam. “She is taking the kind of initiative that (even) seniors are scared to take, which is super cool.”

Grudzinski said the second semester has given her a whole new outlook on life.

“I didn’t really know what to expect coming into college other than, ‘Seize the day, take advantage of opportunities,’” Grudzinski said. “But now the impact (of the club) has definitely been the most gratifying part of it.”

As the opportunities presented themselves to her, Grudzinski quickly accepted. She is also the president of the Brazilian-Portuguese club on USC’s campus.

“It’s very rewarding work, but at the same time, it can be a big learning process,” Grudzinski said.

BloomNotes will resume meetings and drops in the fall.