KSHB 41: How "Ally Project" students think outside the box to honor Ally Baier

Confetti learning box

By Rae Daniel

The Ally Project is a program involving Olathe East High School students who are a part of the 21st Century Future Educators Academy.

The students tutor children who have serious illnesses and receive treatment at Children's Mercy.

Back in 2018, 41 Action News interviewed Ally Baier, a girl who was battling glioblastoma cancer. The "Ally Project" is named after Ally, who had a passion for teaching.

She passed away from cancer in May 2020.

Students continue to honor her legacy by adding to the program. The newest addition is themed learning boxes for patients.

"It's really hands-on, and they provide everything that the patients need so it's really amazing and creative," Mazeitis said. "I just think Ally would absolutely love it. I know she would and I would, I wish I could hear more of her ideas because she always had some crazy, zany, great creative ideas and I feel like that's kind of being carried on. "

"It'll give them a chance to be educated no matter how sick they are and it feels good to know people are still being educated even if they're in the hospital, " Ally said in a 2018 interview with 41 Action News.

While it's been a tough journey for Ally's mom and family, her legacy continues.

"Watching my own daughter be hospitalized and miss out on school, it's a really good opportunity to make those kids who are in the hospital not feel alone," Crysta Baier said. "You feel happy. Still have a connection to some normalcy."

Watch the broadcast and read the full article via KSHB 41

For more information on the Ally Project, visit the family's website set up in Ally's honor