Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota celebrated four deserving Twin Cities young people as the 2009 recipients of CDF's Beat the Odds scholarships. Each one told their inspiring stories at CDF-Minnesota's 17th annual Beat the Odds Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 12 at the Depot in Minneapolis.

The four, Max Wirt of Minneapolis, and Michael Roberts, Kia Lor, and Edwin Rosas, all of St. Paul received their awards from Mayors R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis, and Chris Coleman of St. Paul, and CDF President Marian Wright Edelman gave the keynote address. Minnesota Public Radio personality Kerri Miller was emcee of the event. Learn more about the event.