UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | March 29, 2024

National Random Act of Kindness Day: Kindness in the air

Paul Nichols, a junior psychology major from Murrieta, California, participated in the National Random Act of Kindness day by holding the door open for Victoria Barney, a freshman elementary education major from Las Vegas. . Photo by Brock Doman.

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The fable writer Aesop once said, “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”

Feb. 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness day and Trailblazers all around campus have been going out of their way to help out their peers in small ways. It takes less than 30 seconds to do a simple act of kindness for someone else. Here is how Dixie State University students have lent a hand and brightened someone else’s day.

Tidy-up around the house, just because

The house is never as clean as you’d hope; dishes are stacked in the sink, and laundry rarely gets folded all at once. Things like doing chores, cleaning up messes or making dinner are all great random acts of kindness that can be done.

Scott Holdaway, a junior medical radiography major from Huntington Beach, California, said, “I plan on doing something nice for my kids.”

Make someone feel special with a compliment

It can be hard and sometimes even awkward to talk to other people in passing. Courtney Lions, a freshman pre-nursing major from Las Vegas, went out of her way to give someone else a compliment today to start a conversation.

“I gave a few compliments on their outfits,” Lions said.

Serve your siblings

Rivalries between siblings are bound to happen at some point. Nikelle Hatch, a sophomore psychology major from El Paso, Texas, is using this special day to go out of her way and serve her sister by cleaning her room.

“[Random acts of kindness] are important because you can make someone’s day better in an unexpected way,” Hatch said.

Volunteer to do the dishes

Living with roommates can be difficult at times. National Random Acts of Kindness Day is a great opportunity to help your roomies feel special, especially if they’re going through a rough time or are stressed out.

Summer Daily, a sophomore nursing major from Colombia, Maryland, said she is going to clean the dishes in her dorm room.

Surprise your loved ones with sweet treats

One way to do something nice for others is to use your talents. Ernesto Arvallo, a junior chemistry major from Ashville, North Carolina, is going to bake cookies tonight.

“Everyone loves cookies, and that’s something I can make,” Arvallo said.

Making cakes, cookies, dinners or any type of food for others is a great way to show kindness.

Smile at a stranger

Genesis Renteria, a freshman concurrent enrollment student from St. George, said even a simple smile can go a long way for someone who is struggling. Walking around campus with a smile or saying hi to others may be just the thing that individual needs.

“I’m going to keep a better attitude, which will help me be friendlier to those I see,” Renteria said.

A cup of coffee goes a long way

The spring semester is almost at its halfway point and people may need a pick me up. Kristi Pipers, a sophomore marketing major from Denver, bought her friend coffee because she knew she had a long week ahead of her.

“Your lunch is on me”

Everyone in the drive-thru line is hungry, anxious and ready to eat from their favorite fast food chain. To make their experience even better, paying for the meal for the driver behind you is another opportunity to do a random act of kindness. Not only will the food bring them happiness, but saving them an extra dollar or two would make the experience even better.

Hold the door for someone else

Being respectful to others can go a long way as well. Levi Peterson, a mathematics major from Hurricane, is going to open the door for others today. In a COVID-filled world, this random act of kindness helps slow the spread.

Just be kind

Leah Larkin, a junior biology major from St. George, isn’t going to be specific with her random act of kindness, but she said she is using this opportunity to make others happier.

“Random acts of kindness are important to do because they remind people there is happiness in the world,” Larkin said.