Imagine this: It’s a Carolina game day, and the skyline is glowing garnet as fans of the opposing team come to town. Come June, it shifts to a rainbow for Pride. On Veterans Day, it beams red, white, and blue. That’s the vision behind Tripp Roche’s lighting initiative — and it’s starting to take shape. The 20-year-old Columbian has been rallying support for programmable LED lighting on downtown buildings. Inspired by Charlotte’s skyline and Capstone’s celebratory glow, Tripp wants Columbia to have its own visual identity — one that reflects the spirit of the city year-round. He’s already working with building owners, the City of Columbia, USC, and organizations like One Columbia and the Audubon Society. The goal is to light up the skyline 20–25 times per year, with themes tied to local events, nonprofit causes, and city pride to help activate the community. “I don’t want it to be, ‘Tripp Roche decided what the skyline lights up for.’ I want the people to decide,” said…..