Dalip Celbeqiri
A Texas girl, Aurora Sky Castner, born in Galveston County Jail, defies the odds as her father raises her single-handedly, while her mother remains absent from her life.
“I was born in prison,” Aurora wrote in her application essay.
Collaborating with a Boston University professor, she crafted a compelling application essay that secured her early acceptance to Harvard, where she intends to pursue law studies.
“He helped me to tell my story in the best way possible,” she said for the Houston Chronicle.
The Texas girl attributes her success to her mentor Mona Hamby, whom she first encountered at Reeves Elementary School.
View this post on Instagram
She said: “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,” said the mentor.
Upon hearing Aurora’s childhood struggles and her longing for her mother, Mona Hamby recognized the void within her. Determined to help Aurora overcome her doubts and achieve her dreams, Hamby went beyond academic guidance, focusing on her personal development and creating meaningful moments of growth.
View this post on Instagram
“So Hamby helped Castner with things like picking out glasses and getting her first salon haircut, according to the outlet, while dentists, orthodontists and other community leaders helped Castner with her teeth and to enjoy important childhood experiences, such as summer camp,” per PEOPLE.
Aurora said: “It was a very different environment than I grew up in and that’s not a bad thing. Everything that Mona taught me was very valuable in the same way that everything that I went through before Mona was very valuable.”
In March of last year, Castner’s visit to Harvard University with her mentor Hamby and husband Randy deepened her passion for the school and its esteemed institute.
She said: “After that trip, I saw her love for the school intensify,” said Hamby.“It was a very different environment than I grew up in and that’s not a bad thing. Everything that Mona taught me was very valuable in the same way that everything that I went through before Mona was very valuable.”
Share your thoughts on this story!
