Girl Who Was Born In Prison Defies The Odds, Makes It To Harvard University

Sky Castner, 18, from Montgomery County, was born in Galveston County Jail. Despite her mother's absence in her life since then, Castner's dedicated father took on the responsibility of raising her, picking her up as a baby from the prison, and has been taking care of her ever since.

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Sky, a diligent student, achieved an impressive third-place ranking in her class at Conroe High School. With her academic excellence paving the way, she is now preparing to embark on her journey to Massachusetts, where she will pursue a law degree at a prestigious university.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Sky showed dedication as a student from the beginning, being an enthusiastic reader in elementary school. 

Recognizing her potential, the school offered her extra support and guidance to help her excel even more.

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Reaves Elementary School connected Sky with Mona Hamby, a volunteer in a mentor program aimed at providing additional support to students who could benefit from spending extra time with an adult from the local community.

This program sought to match students like Sky with mentors who could offer guidance and companionship.

Sky and Mona formed a special bond as they discovered they both had limited contact with their mothers. Sky had only spoken to her mother once, at the age of 14.

Recognizing that Sky needed more than just weekly mentoring sessions, Mona understood the importance of providing additional support and care for the young girl.

Instagram / @mlham

Hamby said: "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."

"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." Hamby told the Houston Chronicle.

Mona went above and beyond, assisting Sky with essential aspects of adulthood such as obtaining eyeglasses and arranging haircuts. 

Instagram / @mlham

"It was a very different environment than I grew up in and that’s not a bad thing," Castner said as she went on to explain that she found 'something satisfying' about getting high grades in school.

"Everything that Mona taught me was very valuable in the same way that everything that I went through before Mona was very valuable."

"There was something satisfying about having all As and having that accomplishment. Grades just meant a lot to me."

Instagram / @mlham

In March 2022, Mona Hamby and her husband, Randy, accompanied Castner on a tour of the Harvard campus, an experience that played a pivotal role in solidifying the teenager's decision to attend the university later that year. Hamby remarked, "After that trip, I witnessed her passion for the school grow stronger."

In addition to Hamby's support, James Wallace, a professor at Boston University, played a significant role in Castner's journey. As reported by the Courier, Wallace assisted her in preparing her Harvard application, ensuring that she effectively conveyed her unique story. 

“He helped me to tell my story in the best way possible,” Castner shared.

Sky began her Harvard application with a remarkably candid and captivating statement: I was born in prison."

Instagram / @mlham

A Facebook post shared on the Conroe ISD Education Foundation's page revealed that Sky's father, who raised her on his own, deals with bipolar disorder. This made the support she received from Hamby and their local community even more important during her childhood.

Sky Castner's extraordinary journey from prison to Harvard University is a testament to her resilience and support. With determination, she has achieved remarkable success, inspiring others to overcome challenges and reach for greatness.