Each year, Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Minnesota recognizes local teens who have overcome extreme adversity, including the family violence, poverty, illness, abuse, and chemical addictions to succeed in school and life. On Friday, March 11, 2011 CDF-Minnesota will host its nineteenth annual Beat the Odds awards dinner and celebration by honoring four more deserving high school seniors with a $4,000 college scholarship.

A silent auction and reception begins at 6 pm and the dinner and a scholarship awards ceremony starts at 8 pm. Volunteers contribute their time and 600 business and community leaders, students, parents, counselors and teachers attend. Volunteers, sponsors, and staff plan and implement the event.