Join Us for CDF's Beat the Odds® Celebration!
The Beat the Odds® program honors outstanding high school students who have overcome tremendous adversity, demonstrated academic excellence and given back to their communities.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Minneapolis Depot
6-8 pm Silent Auction and Reception See Silent Auction Items!
8-10 pm Dinner and Awards Presentation
CDF–Minnesota will hold its 18th annual Beat the Odds celebration, honoring four local high school seniors who have have overcome enormous challenges to become personally and academically successful and give back to their communities.
The honorees are chosen from a pool of nominees from the Minneapolis and St. Paul area and they receive a scholarship to further their education. The life stories of these young people are often heart-wrenching, but their courage and strength are an inspiration to all who attend the event.
A silent auction kicks off the Beat the Odds dinner each year and the event is a major fundraising effort of CDF-Minnesota.
Tickets available calling CDF 651-227-6121 and also at the door the night of the event.
Emceed by Kerri Miller, “Midmorning” host, Minnesota Public Radio News
Special Guests
Current and Former Minnesota Vikings
Jim Kleinsasser
Chris Liwienski
Randall McDaniel
John Randle
Beat the Odds Event Chairs
Sarenja DeCandia-Betz and Shane Betz
Tasya Rosenfeld Kelen and Robert Kelen
Nicole and Chris Liwienski
Silent Auction Chair
Wendy Brown
Follow Beat the Odds on Facebook
Previous Years Read the stories of past recipients.
Latest blog posts
Media Contact Information
Office: 651-855-1187
Fax: 651-227-2553
555 Park Street, Suite 410
St. Paul, MN 55103


The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.