Tauraroa Area School student Catherine Hang (centre) bought 60 roses to honour her friend and spread the love. Photo / Supplied
Tauraroa Area School student Catherine Hang (centre) bought 60 roses to honour her friend and spread the love. Photo / Supplied
When students at Tauraroa Area School were told to gather for a meeting, some worried they were in trouble.
Instead, yesterdaythey were met with 60 roses - one for each Year 11 student - from classmate Catherine Hang who bought the roses to remember a close friend who took herlife around Valentine's Day last year, and to lift the spirits of other students.
"A lot of people who don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend or a valentine on Valentine's Day get emotional and sad so this is spreading love," the 15-year-old said.
"I wanted to let everyone know that they are loved and everyone matters. Even if you don't have a specific valentine."
The roses arrived around fourth period and Hang - with the help of some friends - collected them, tied some handmade tags and lollipops on to them and laid them out on the outdoor stage before lunch time.
"We put a notice in the daily notices and said it was for camp. They thought they were in trouble, they were freaking out.
"When they found out what it was actually for some of them cried, there was a lot of 'awws' and big smiles all round. I felt warm, fuzzy, content and happy."
She came up with the idea while speaking to a friend about Valentine's Day early one morning.
