Romance and education mingled at the annual Valentine Gala of the Virginia Area Chapter of the Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education.

More than 200 people dined and danced at the benefit event Saturday night on the eve of Valentine’s Day at a Henrico County hotel.

The annual gala raises money for activities of the chapter, led by Rahmah T. Johnson.

Highlights included scholarship awards to four future teach-

ers.Two Richmond students, Rosa Patterson and Janae White, were each awarded $1,500 scholarships named for the late Dr. Dorothy N. Cowling to assist them in earning education degrees.

Miss Patterson, daughter of Melody Patterson and Aaron Gilliam, attends Richmond Community High School, while Ms. White, daughter of Florence Brown White, attends John Marshall High School.

Two other students, Janelle Chavis and Katie Dodson, were awarded $500 book awards named for Dr. Virgie M. Binford.

Miss Chavis, the daughter or Robert and Valerie Chavis, attends Manchester High School in Chesterfield County, and Miss Dodson, daughter of Kenneth and Vickie Dodson, attends Patrick Henry High School in Hanover County.

The Katz Band provided music.