Alga and Earlene Evans, left, join other couples in dancing to a love song at the 16th Annual Valentine Gala of the Virginia Area Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta.

The highlight of the educational honor society’s dinner-dance Saturday night in Downtown: The presentation of college scholarships to future teachers.

The winners, from left to right, are Randaisha Nickens of John Marshall High School, Monté Hathaway of Highland Springs High School and Caroline Sisson of Mills Godwin High School. A fourth winner, Miah Hardy of Richmond Community High School, could not attend because of illness; her father, Linwood Hardy, accepted her award on her behalf.

Miss Nickens and Mr. Hathaway, both top scholars at their schools and active in school activities and as volunteers, each were presented a Dr. Dorothy N. Cowling Scholarship worth $1,500. Ms. Sisson and Ms. Hardy, also top scholars and active students, each received a Dr. Virgie M. Binford Book Award worth $500.

About 230 people attended the Feb. 14 event at a Downtown hotel. The organization, led by Rahmah T. Johnson, stages the affair as a fundraiser for the scholarships. Pi Lambda Theta is an international honor society and education professional association.