“I wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing.”
These are the words of sophomore Alessandra Early who has created her MYP personal project to raise awareness of the mistreatment of Albino individuals living in Tanzania. Because of her aspirations to spread awareness of her project, FOX 2 News Detroit has also featured her research and awareness.
“Everybody [at FOX] thought it was special enough to pass along,” FOX 2 News general news assignment reporter Andrea Isom explains. “This isn’t a story that only a few people should know about.”
“[Alessandra] obviously knows that change needs to happen and whether she can do that on a small scale or a grand scale, she is willing to put herself out there. She understands that and I don’t see that in a lot of people,” Isom continues. “Her priorities seem to be very in check for a tenth grader and that is something that a lot of young people can learn from.”

Fox 2 News interviews Alessandra

During the eighth grade at West Hills Middle School, Early won an essay contest for the Detroit Free Press called Zeru, Zeru which she says sparked her idea to create an international essay contest for her MYP project.
“I was hoping my essay contest could unite teenagers to step up and change the world because we are the next generation and we can make a difference. I hope that it spreads awareness and information,” explains Alessandra.
“I watched a late night news program and it talked about how albinos were being mutilated and killed just because they are different,” she continues. “You would think people would never resort to such horrific behavior to go actually cut somebody’s arm off just for the sake they are different and a stereotype. It was just awful. Being African American, growing up, I was treated differently and so it just touched me.”
Working with Alessandra, Associate Principal and MYP personal project coordinator Jason Rubel decribes just how proud of her he is.
“To me, this is what doing a personal project can do. I think what we need to see from Alessandra’s story and what she has done with her personal project is that students care. Students are able to effectively create change and inspire others to do things that are truly extraordinary.”
Kevin Early, Alessandra’s father agrees, “It is exciting. It is a testament to her enthusiasm and thirst for interesting projects and an education.”
“[Alessandra] really wants to help people and this manifested itself even early on. She has been a person who has reached out to others for her entire life,” a proud Bonnie Early, Alessandra’s mother adds.
Alessandra concludes, “You are never too far away to help. You can never be too far away, you can make a difference from wherever you are. I am just glad that I can get out there in the world and help people because that’s what I have always wanted to do.”