Reese Witherspoon was the guest of honor at the 2012 Children’s Defense Fund Beat the Odds Awards in Beverly Hills. She was joined by Michelle Monaghan, Miranda Cosgrove and other celebrities for the dinner and ceremonies.

The event at the Beverly Hills Hotel honored five incredible Los Angeles-area high school students Each had a story to tell of strength and triumph that were genuinely inspiring.

The students honored were Yahydia C. Iñiguez, Richard V. Kent, Roneisha C. Pugh, Jade E. Woods and Jalen W. Woods.

Children’s Defense Fund, Beat the Odds

Co-chairing the event this year were Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams, Jurnee Smollett and Josiah Bell, Carol and Frank Biondi, Ruth-Ann Huvane and Kevin Huvane, Stacey and Charles King, Liza and Conan O’Brien, Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth and Laura and Casey Wasserman.

Other celebrities attending included “New Girl‘s” Hannah Simone,“Teen Wolf” stars Colton Haynes and Holland Roden and Alex Bidel.

Reese wore an Elie Saab dress and Christian Louboutin heels to the event.

The Children’s Defense Fund – New York will hold its annual Beat the Odds® event on Tuesday, (Dec 11) at the New York Athletic Club at 180 Central Park South in New York City.

CDF’s New York Office will also honor five area high school seniors who have overcome tremendous adversity, demonstrated academic excellence and have given back to their communities.