skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Honors for Minnesota High School Seniors who Beat the Odds

play audio
Play

Friday, April 17, 2015   

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The path to future success can be tough for any teen, but many face major life challenges and prevail. With the end of the school year quickly approaching, five of the state's high school seniors who have beaten the odds are being honored.

Among them is Kou Soua Yang at Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul. With her mother and father becoming ill and unable to work after immigrating to the United States, Yang took on after-school jobs and caring for her parents and younger siblings.

"Too many times I feel like I want to give up," she said, "but I always tell myself to not give up because I've come this far already and I know that there are people who are worse off than me, so I just take advantage of the opportunities I have and do what I can."

Yang plans to pursue a master's degree in engineering. She'll have help with that thanks to a $5,000 "Beat the Odds" scholarship from Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota.

Peggy Flanagan, executive director of Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota, said the other students being honored and awarded scholarships are Martell Person of St. Louis Park, Randy Mathews of Minneapolis, and Makayla Hout and Nasro Mohamed, both of St. Paul. Flanagan said Mohamed immigrated here from war-torn Ethiopia.

"She saw her mother killed by soldiers and her father disappeared," Flanagan said. "She was shot and has gone through painful rehabilitation and yet has still excelled in school and has generally just kept an incredibly positive attitude."

This is the 23rd year of the Beat the Odds celebration, which will be held Saturday night at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center.

More information is online at cdf-mn.org/bto.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Including the $236 million in federal funding for wildland fire management recently announced for 2025, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested a total of $1 billion to the cause, according to the Department of the Interior. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

This month, the federal government announced funding for next year's wildfire management, totaling $236 million and experts hope threatened …


Social Issues

play sound

From gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to Superintendent of Public Instruction hopeful Michele Morrow, some Republicans running for office have …

Social Issues

play sound

California is home to more than 181,000 people who are unhoused, with 75,000 in Los Angeles alone, so the Los Angeles Food Policy Council will host a …


The California Department of Conservation is holding a public meeting online on Sept. 24, to update the public on its progress in plugging abandoned oil wells. (Alizada Studios/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Groups concerned about pollution and climate change are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a trio of bills dubbed the "make polluters pay" package…

Social Issues

play sound

This week, National Voter Registration Day was another timely reminder for Ohioans preparing for the 2024 general election. The latest reports from …

The American Heart Association said caregivers often experience personal and spiritual growth, discovering their own resilience, competence and capacity for sacrifice as they help a friend or loved one. (Justlight/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Self-Care Awareness Month and the American Heart Association in Missouri is urging caregivers to take some much-needed time for themselve…

Environment

play sound

In Virginia's waters, the decline of a small but critically important fish is causing growing concern among conservation groups and fishermen alike…

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado voters will decide whether to change the state's constitution to ensure families have school choice as a fundamental right. Kallie Leyba…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021