A Texas girl, who was born in prison, will attend the prestigious Harvard University after graduating. Sky Castner, 18, was born in the Galveston County Jail in the United States, as her mother was imprisoned at the time of his birth.
Her father would take her from the county jail and raise her alone. 'I was born in prison,' reads the first line of his Harvard application letter, which she worked with a professor at Boston University to write.
'He helped me tell my story in the best possible way,' she told the Houston Chronicle. Despite her rough start, Castner will graduate third in her class from Conroe High School - north of Houston - and will attend Harvard to study law.
The youngster credits her mentor Mona Hamby, who is not affiliated with the school, for hier success.
Castner and Hamby met when the graduate was in elementary school at Reaves Elementary School.
The little girl was an avid reader and staff thought she would benefit from CISD's Project Mentor program, where children who need a little love are paired with an adult to help care for and mentor them.
'I was given a paper about her. Her hero was Rosa Parks. I thought this looked like a fierce little girl,' Hamby told the Houston Chronicle. 'I still have that paper today. She said to me: "I have been in prison." I said: "No, that can't be right," the counselor continued.
'I knew I couldn't just go to lunch with this kid once a week, she needed more.' Castner appears several times on Hamby's Facebook page and the counselor often talked about the young woman and how proud she was.
According to a post shared on Hamby's Instagram in April, Castner not only won a place at Harvard — but will also attend the prestigious Ivy League school on a full scholarship.
'The girl set her sights on going to Harvard in primary school despite being born into poverty. She received a full scholarship to attend Harvard in 2023,' Hamby wrote while sharing a photo of her mentee.
Hamby was there the first time Castner got glasses and needed a haircut, and even took her on a tour of Harvard.
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