PICTURED: Harvard-bound teen born in prison beams at her graduation

The Texan teen who was born in a prison and overcame childhood poverty to get a full scholarship to Harvard took her first steps toward her future this week as she graduated from high school.

Aurora Sky Castner, 18, made headlines earlier this week when her extraordinary story was revealed to the world by her longtime mentor — who revealed how the “ravenous reader” got herself a place at Harvard Law School and achieved a lifelong goal she for themselves in primary school.

Now footage has captured the moment when Sky, who was raised by her single, bipolar father with the help of mentor Mona Hamby and several other members of the local community, celebrated her successes with her loved ones during her high school graduation on Thursday. .

Photos of the teen, taken outside Conroe High School in Montgomery County, where she graduated summa cum laude, show her beaming with pride as she poses in her gold cap and gown — with one shot showing an enthusiastic thumbs up to her friends and family.

Aurora Sky Castner, 18, was born behind the walls of the Galveston County Jail where her mother was incarcerated, then raised by a single father, who suffered from bipolar disorder

Speaking about her academic successes, Sky credited her mentor Mona Hamby (seen hugging the teen) for helping her achieve her dream of one day attending Harvard — a goal she set for herself when she was in elementary school.

In addition to her summa cum laude sash, Castner also posed proudly in a medal from The Academy for Health and Science Professions at Conroe High School, an organization she was a part of during her time there.

Another particularly poignant photo captures Castner and Hamby in a warm embrace before the ceremony began, with the high school graduate wrapping her arms around her old mentor — jokingly telling her not to cry.

It’s no surprise that emotions were running high on the milestone day, especially for Hamby, who this week spoke with great pride about Castner’s many accomplishments and recalled how the teen exposed her incredibly rocky beginnings in life as part of the interview process. essay that earned her the spot at the prestigious Ivy League school.

“I was born in prison,” the application letter read Houston Chronicle.

If that rule alone wasn’t enough to get the admissions board’s attention, Castner’s glowing academic records may have done the trick.

Described as a “voracious reader” when she was in grade school, the now 18-year-old was asked to join the local CISD Project Mentor program in hopes of boosting her early talents. It was through this program that Castner met Hamby – who would later become one of the key figures in her life.

Images shared on Hamby’s social media accounts reveal her close bond with Castner — with the mentor sharing in an emotional message a few weeks before the teen’s graduation: “Girl set a goal to go to Harvard in elementary school.” despite being born in poverty. Got a full scholarship to go to Harvard in 2023.”

According to Hamby, she knew from an early age that Castner had special talents, and recalled to the Chronicle, “I got a paper on her.” Her hero was Rosa Parks, her favorite food was Dairy Queen tacos, and she loved to read. I thought this sounds like a smart girl.’

Castner proudly wore a “Harvard bound” sign atop her graduation cap

The teen graduated summa cum laude, placing third in her class at Conroe High School

In addition to her summa cum laude sash, Castner also posed proudly in a medal from The Academy for Health and Science Professions at Conroe High School, an organization she was a part of during her time there

Castner’s successes are all the more impressive when her background is taken into account. The teen was born behind the walls of the Galveston County Jail (pictured) where her mother was held at the time

She continued, “She told me, ‘I’ve been in prison.’ I said, “No, that can’t be right.” I knew I couldn’t have lunch with this boy once a week, she needed more.’

In the years since, Hamby has been a lifeline for Castner, helping the youngster get glasses, accompanying her on trips to the salon for a haircut, and putting her in touch with local dentists and orthodontists for other care needs.

But perhaps one of Hamby’s greatest contributions to Castner’s life was when she and husband Randy accompanied the teen on a tour of Harvard last year — which, the mentor recalls, was when the high school student’s love for the Ivy League ‘intensified’.

Hamby has assisted Castner through many milestone moments in her life, including the high school graduate’s prom, which took place in April, just a few weeks before her graduation.

Shared an image on Hamby’s Instagram account – captioned ‘Prom 2023 for my sweet girl!’ – shows the teen posing by a lake while wearing a gorgeous floor-length red ball gown.

Meanwhile, Sky herself posted several photos from the dance, including several with her friends — and her boyfriend, Nate Morris.

The teen has been very private about her academic achievements on social media, sharing only a few photos of herself visiting Harvard’s campus in April when she attended freshman orientation.

Castner first learned that she had secured a place at the Ivy League school in December, a moment Hamby quickly celebrated on Instagram, where she shared an image of a sign that read, “Harvard here comes Sky!”

Sky Castner, 18, of Montgomery County, was born in the Galveston County Jail because her mother was in jail at the time of her birth. Her father picked her up from prison and raised her as a single father

“I was born in prison,” reads the first line of her Harvard application letter

Despite her rocky beginnings, Castner will graduate third in her class from Conroe High School – north of Houston

In the accompanying caption, she expressed her pride, writing, “This girl put in all the hard work and dedication it took.”

In October, Hamby marked another peak week in Castner’s life — after the teen submitted her Harvard application and paid off her first car, all in a matter of days.

“Great week for this girl!” Hamby wrote while sharing a photo of the teen holding up the deed on her new car.

“Application submitted to Harvard on Monday. The first car paid off on Tuesday. Many long hours have been put into both. Congratulations girl! I love you and your work ethic.”

On her Facebook page, Hamby talked about the importance of her mentoring duties, writing in 2019 alongside an image of Castner, “A lot of times people ask me about mentoring. It’s something I wish everyone would do for themselves. Not just for that child whose name is on a list. You will be so much more blessed.

‘Yes, they have been identified as ‘in need’. Maybe a single-parent family. Sometimes struggle in school. Maybe a behavior problem. We’re all broken people, aren’t we? I encourage my friends to volunteer once a week. Bring a lunch and talk/play games (checkers, connect4, etc). You’ll never regret it.’