Wreaths
Carolina
Remembers

Cassidy

William

Allison

Lauren

Justin

Travis

Emily

At the request of the victims' families, who have expressed a need for privacy, the University of South Carolina did not release the victims' names until North Carolina officials confirmed their identities. Privacy concerns also prevent the university from displaying photographs of the students.
Nov. 5, 2007

Lauren Astrid Mahon

Friends from the University of South Carolina remember the victims of the fire.

There are few people everyone meets in life, that upon the first "hello," you can tell immediately that there is something truly special about that person. 

Lauren Mahon was one of these rare people. Although I did not get the privilege or the chance to get to know Lauren extremely well, I do feel blessed and grateful for the time that I did share with her. 

I met Lauren for the first time during Round One of Sorority Recruitment on a hot and sunny afternoon this past August. As we began our conversation, I could immediately tell that Lauren was a very special and genuine person.

Lauren was an extremely intelligent and ambitious girl. At 18 years old, she already knew that after graduation from USC, she wanted to attend law school and become a real estate lawyer. Her bright brown eyes and her contagious smile beamed with excitement and energy. 

Each day I waited in anticipation to see if Lauren was going to come back to Tri Delta. Every day she came back, walking through the front door, smiling from ear to ear. Just by looking at her, you could tell that she was extremely excited and could not wait to begin her college career. 

She was full of life and enjoyed each day that was given to her, living it to the fullest.  I never remember a single silent or awkward moment speaking with Lauren. Whether discussing traveling to Europe, our favorite movies, or law and politics, this energetic, compassionate, beautiful girl always had something to say.

After speaking with several of Lauren's friends, it is clear that the intuition that I had about Lauren is very true. Lauren was an extremely loyal friend and was known to often stick up for her friends, even when it was not considered "popular." She was a confident and independent girl, who believed that honorable character was the key to success in life. 

The 18 years that Lauren did spend on this earth were maximized with joy and excitement.  It is unfortunate that Lauren was tragically taken from us in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007.

We will all deeply miss the intrinsic compassion and brilliance that Lauren shared with everyone she encountered in her short, but full life. 

Caroline Delleney, Delta Delta Delta

The University of South Carolina Alma Mater
"We Hail Thee Carolina"
We hail thee, Carolina, and sing thy high praise
With loyal devotion, remembering the days
When proudly we sought thee, thy children to be:
Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee!

 


Photo gallery

Memorial Service

Additional video

News conference, Oct. 29