In a remarkable turn of events, an individual who came into the world within the confines of a correctional facility has secured a coveted spot at the renowned Harvard University.
Eighteen-year-old Sky Castner is reported to have been born in Galveston County Jail. Ever since her father took responsibility for her upbringing, following her mother’s incarceration at the time of her birth, Sky’s life has largely been devoid of her mother’s presence.
Despite the multiple relocations that Sky and her father endured during her formative years, this determined young woman never swayed from her aspiration to attend Harvard.
A recent achievement at Conroe High School earned Sky the third position in her class, paving the way for her to join one of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions to study law.
As per a report by The Courier, Sky initiated her Harvard application essay with the opening line: “I was born in prison.”
According to information from sources cited by The Houston Chronicle, Sky exhibited a penchant for reading from her early elementary school days and demonstrated academic excellence as a young child.
However, the staff at Reaves Elementary believed that additional guidance was essential for her to realize her full potential. In this regard, Mona Hamby came forward as part of CISD’s Project Mentor.
She shared her thoughts with The Sky Courier: “I was handed a paper about her. Her hero was Rosa Parks, her favorite food was Dairy Queen tacos, and she had a love for reading. I thought this sounded like an intelligent young girl. I still have that paper today.”
Mona and Sky formed a close bond, driven in part by their shared experiences of not knowing their respective mothers. Mona added, “She told me, ‘I’ve been to jail.’ I said, ‘No, that can’t be right.’ I knew that I couldn’t merely have lunch with this kid once a week; she needed more.”
Sky’s mentor provided guidance on selecting her first pair of glasses, experiencing her first visit to a salon for a haircut, and enhancing her enjoyment of leisure time. Sky expressed, “It was a distinctly different environment from what I was accustomed to, and that was a good thing.
Everything that Mona taught me was just as invaluable as everything I experienced prior to meeting Mona.” Her desire to attend Harvard intensified after visiting the campus with Mona and her husband in 2022.
She sought advice from Boston University’s Professor James Wallace regarding her application. Sky shared with The Courier, “He helped me convey my story in the most compelling manner.”
What an inspiring story! I’m sure many of us are delighted with Sky’s remarkable achievements. If you concur that Sky has admirably defied the odds, please consider sharing this post on Facebook to support our mission of informing and entertaining our audience.
