For the 15th time, the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is hosting an awards event to commend honor roll students who live in public and Section 8 housing.

The Annual Youth Scholars Awards Night will take place Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at John F. Kennedy Middle School, and it is open to the public.

Students from all grade levels, including 45 students from public housing and 137 from Section 8 housing, will be honored at the occasion, in addition to one adult who just received a GED.

SRHA representative Sybil Bullock said the group hosts the event every year to honor these students for their achievement during the school year.

“We are really excited about our program this year,” she said.

She said children living in public and Section 8 housing are sometimes seen in a negative light, and the awards night is an opportunity for these students to celebrate their accomplishment.

“It’s something that’s special and just for them,” Bullock said. “They are being honored.”

Motivational speaker Alton Jamison will deliver a speech at the event.

Bullock said she thinks everyone will be able to gain something from Jamison’s speech, but she especially hopes he will encourage the students to continue to be successful.

“We want to encourage our students to move forward in life,” she said. “We want to see them going to college and purchasing homes. We just want to keep them motivated and excited.”

Bullock said she hopes members of the general public come out to encourage the children.

“Anyone who wants to come, we want them to come out and celebrate our kids,” she said.

For more information, contact the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority at 539-2100.