Nothing is getting in this teen’s way! A young woman who was born in prison is now set to study law at Harvard University and she’s telling her story to encourage other students to stay positive and never give up.
According to the New York Post, Aurora Sky Castner, 18, from Montgomery County, was born in Galveston County Jail while her mother was incarcerated. Despite facing adversity from the second she entered this world, the Texas teen had the determination to stay focused so she can continue her path to a brighter future.
With the help and support of her father who became a single parent, Castner was able to graduate third in her class at Conroe High School. Not only that, but she was also accepted into the Ivy League through early action. According to the Houston Chronicle, Castner opened her application essay to Harvard with the sentence, “I was born in prison.” Clearly, it captured the attention of the university. She now plans to pursue a degree in law.
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More On Harvard
Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and getting accepted into it is not easy. It requires a great academic record, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities that make you stand out from other applicants. According to some students and staff, to get accepted to Harvard, you need to demonstrate your ambition, leadership potential, and commitment to making a difference in the world. Some have said it’s also important to show that you have the intellectual curiosity and drive to succeed academically at one of the best universities in the world.
Aside from her dad, Castner also gives credit to her mentor for guiding her in the right direction. Speaking about how they met, Mona Hamby told the Chronicle that they matched through her school’s mentor program. “I was given a paper about her. Her hero was Rosa Parks, her favorite food was tacos from Dairy Queen and she loved to read. I thought this sounds like a bright little girl, I still have that paper today. She told me: ‘I’ve been to jail.’ I said: ‘No, that can’t be right’. I knew that I can’t just go eat lunch with this kid once a week, she needed more.’” Hamby told the Houston Chronicle.
Celebrating her mega accomplishments, Hamby boasted about the mentee on Instagram, “Girl set a goal to go to Harvard in elementary school despite being born in poverty. Received full scholarship to attend Harvard in 2023,” Hamby wrote alongside an image of Castner.
Looking back on how far she’s come, Castner shared that she hasn’t had much contact with her mother, having spoken to her only once at the age of 14. While dealing with that, her father was also facing challenges with bipolar disorder. Castner acknowledges that “It was a very different environment than what I grew up in.” However, she adds that “I am grateful for the opportunities.”
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The post Texas Girl Born in Jail Will Be Heading to Harvard After Graduating At The Top of Her Class! appeared first on Hollywood Unlocked .