More than 400 foster children will be honored for their educational achievements tomorrow at the 18th Annual Celebration of Excellence at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts.

Twelve youth will be awarded with nearly $50,000 in scholarship funds. The keynote speaker for the evening is former foster youth, author and television star Victoria Rowell. Gov. Sonny Perdue and First Lady Mary Perdue, former foster parents, will also provide words of encouragement.

Graduating from high school and enrolling in college are milestones that many foster care youth don’t reach. Studies show that teenagers living in foster care are less likely to finish high school and more likely to end up in jail or homeless. Fewer than 3 percent earn college degrees. The event will honor and recognize foster kids who have overcome obstacles to attain scholastic success.

The event is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Human Services and several businesses, agencies and organizations.